PESHAWAR: Traders and exporters of Pakistan and Afghanistan have urgedIslamabad and Kabul to review policies to further improve mutual trade andeconomic relations between the two neighboring countries.
Identified bottlenecks that were hampering bilateral and transit trade,including complicated regulations and procedures, strict policies andcumbersome goods’ clearing processes,
This demand was made during a joint meeting of Pak-Afghan traders heldunder chairmanship of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI)president Sherbaz Bilour here at the chamber house on Tuesday.
Besides SCCI senior vice president Engr Manzoor Elahi, former presidentFaiz Muhammad, ex-SVP Shahid Hussain, former vice presidents Malik NiazMuhammad Awan, Abidullah Yousafzai, Abdul Jalil Jan, executive committeemembers Mujeebur Rehman, Zahoor Khan, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ihsanullah, AftabIqbal, Afghan Consul General in Peshawar, Najeebullah Ahmadzai, PAJCCIAfghanistan chapter president Khan Jan Alkozai, Afghan trade attaché FawadArash, a large number of Pak-Afghan traders, exporters and importers werepresent in the meeting.
The participants demanded the introduction of a visa free entry regime forthe business community, making proper consultation with relevantstakeholders before implementation of the new Afghan Transit TradeAgreement. The participants furthermore proposed the launch of a jointbonded carriers system between Pakistan and Afghanistan to address theissues of transport.
Sherbaz Bilour while speaking on the occasion informed that the customsauthorities had recently issued a notification regarding reduction invalues of more than 51 Afghan origin imported items, due to which, sayingthat a noticeable increase in mutual Pak-Afghan trade and transit trade waswitnessed. He added the SCCI was making efforts to decrease customs valueson the rest of the Afghan imported items.
Emphasizing that Islamabad and Kabul review their policies for redressal ofbusiness community reservations and difficulties on both sides of theborder, SCCI chief called that the business community and relevantstakeholders should be consulted before finalization and implementation ofnew ATTA – Afghan transit trade agreement.
He also proposed the introduction of a joint bonded carriers system to easedifficulties of Pak-Afghan transporters.
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Similarly, he suggested visa-free entry for the business community,strengthening linkages and effective collaboration and coordination betweenrelevant departments/authorities of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Najeebullah Ahmadzai, Afghan Consul General in Peshawar told theparticipants Afghanistan was fully committed to further improve bilateraltrade and economic relations with Pakistan, claiming that they had raisedPak-Afghan traders and exporters with concerned authorities in an effectivemanner and resolved them on priority basis.
Afghan diplomat said it is a matter of great satisfaction that Islamabadand Kabul want to further improve the mutual economic and trade ties, whichaccording to him, the gesture from both sides would be beneficial forbringing economic prosperity, development and everlasting peace in thewhole region.
Khan Jan Alokzai, president PAJCCI Afghanistan chapter asked the Pakistanand Afghanistan government to make joint efforts for facilitating thebusiness community of their countries.
Other speakers including Faiz Muhammad Faizi, Abdul Jalil Jan, MujeeburRehman, Zahoor Khan, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Aftab Iqbal on the occasionpointed out impediments in way of Pak-Afghan trade and suggested number ofproposals to remove them.
