PESHAWAR: Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PAJCCI) kicked off 11th Focus Group Discussion on “economic and political issues” affecting the full realization of bilateral trade potential” at Islamabad on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by business community members from Pakistan and Afghanistan and government officials. The core objective of the discussion was to remove trade barriers, deliberating and recommending measures to realize trade potential between the two countries, identifying ways to develop sustainable policy framework for long term bilateral and transit trade using each other’s capability and resources, capitalizing on the strengths of private stakeholders, B2B connectivity, setting up of border bazaars to raise employment amongst SME and home industry, encouraging and involving businesswomen to play their role in economic uplift of both the countries.
Zubair Motiwala, Chairman PAJCCI said that Afghan government shall be engaged at relevant forums to create a conducive environment to boost bilateral trade. Motiwala said that despite all the difficulties, the business community is hopeful that situation will improve in the future.
Khan Jan Alokozai, Co-Chairman PAJCCI said that frequent meetings and coordination between the B2B members from both sides has been effective in bringing the issues to the attention of both governments. He said it is time to involve Afghan government to remove communication barriers, and focus on resolving the issues faced the business community. He said, “the engagement is necessary to curtail operational and policy issues, build confidence between the two countries, reduce turnaround time, border management, high yield regional and transit trade bringing much needed economic respite in form of revenue and employment”.
Alokozai provided input on the issues of pending T1 on Afghan side, high taxes on Afghan coal being imported by Pakistan, delayed clearance of empty containers, high valuation and documentation issue at Karachi Port for transit trade clearance, smuggling and holding of cargo by unlawful elements, multiple security checks at border crossings, pending TAD, lack of transport and labor issues on Afghan side. He stressed the need to form National Committee comprising of government representatives and B2B members from both sides to resolve policy matters and provide technical support to both governments for long term policy development.
He said that Afghanistan considers Pakistan as a gateway to South Asia whereas Afghanistan is door to CAR for Pakistan. “We believe that trade between two countries is highly beneficial as compared to trading with other countries. But both governments need to develop long term economic policy instead of unilateral short term actions,” Alokozai emphasised.
Arbab Qaiser; DG Transit Trade Pakistan Customs said that due to regular meetings at Torkham border several operational issues are quickly resolved and 1200 transit & 600 bilateral empty containers were cleared in last 7 days. He informed that Pakistan has waived approximately 15mn rupees in customs duty on exports from Afghanistan as a support measure to Afghan economy and people.
Zubair Khan; Deputy Secretary Ministry of Commerce apprised that Pakistan has facilitated Afghanistan in respect to zero valuation on most items, remove several trade barriers, developed several policies like TAD, Cross-Stuffing, holding of Joint Expo. He said both sides need joint coordination for signing Afghanistan Pakistan Transit trade agreement (APTTA).
Dr. Mukhlis Ahmed, Board Member Nangarhar Chamber and Advisor to PAJCCI, supported the idea of National Committee and joint group to resolve visa issues.
