PAJCCI's delegation to Kabul, led by Zubair Motiwala, attended its fourth annual conference on the theme of "Business First: Afghanistan Pakistan Business Cooperation Conference." The conference discussed the resolution of issues of mutual concern on priority basis to help enhance the bilateral and transit ties between the two countries, reduce the trust deficit and ensure regional integration for the greater benefit of all stakeholders.
Motiwala represented the sentiments of Business community and vocally sought that Politics should be segregated from business interests and it calls for an overall re-hauling of the business and economic reforms between the two countries on an urgent basis.
Co-President PAJCCI, Khan Jan Alokozay established that Ministry of Commerce should take feedback of PAJCCI while reforming APTTA agreement in upcoming months, as PAJCCI has developed a comprehensive draft proposal on the basis of inputs from the business segment across the border, which would significantly help improve the agreement in place.
During its stay, the delegation met Mohammad Sarwar Danish, Vice-President Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai and visited also Pakistan Embassy.
Zubair Motiwala emphasised greatly on the dire need of tariff rationalisation and fiscal reforms to counter parallel trade between the two countries and urged that in order to protect the rights of trading and business partners across the border, an arbitration clause may be made part of the contractual obligations.
He emphasised the importance of establishing Export Houses for the business and trading community across the border under PAJCCI's umbrella, run by professional management with due support from the Governments on both the sides. This concept would eliminate issues related to quality specifications, trust deficit, insurance and payment matters and will build the confidence amongst each other. He reiterated the need to revitalise the regional cooperation and welcomed the extension of APTTA to Tajikistan, Afghanistan's membership to the WTO and both countries' accession to TIR which would greatly reduce the problems in hand.
Motiwala also reinforced his proposal that he presented to President Ashraf Ghani during his visit to Pakistan that in order to consolidate the shared economic vision between the two countries, President Ghani should induct a Pakistani advisor and in reciprocity Prime Minister Sharif should appoint an Afghani advisor which would in true essence bridge the differences and creates an affirming platform.
Mohammad Danish, Vice President Afghanistan lauded the vision of PAJCCI. He stated that it may not be possible to segregate politics and economics from each other, but what we intend to do is to put economics at the heart of politics and promote the notions of valuing co-existence.
He established that President Ghani propagate deleting the policy of "Deleting", that is we do not dissuade any matter of concern whatever its significance level is, especially Commerce and Regional Integration is the focal point of our legislative policies. He remarked that TAPI and CASA 1000 projects are on our priority list and upon completion they would truly reshape the regional economy and integration.
HE Karzai appreciated role of PAJCCI as a catalyst and enforced that resourcefulness of the business community is the only indicator of country's true success and progress.
He acknowledged the role of Pakistani labour played in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. He believed that PAJCCI's initiatives can strongly nourish the platform for successful business connections across the border, which is of utmost importance.
Khan Jan Alokozay elaborated the effective role being played by PAJCCI by representing the business community across the border in both transit and bilateral matters and specified that 60% of the chronic issues were not only raised but also resolved during the short span of time due to follow-up of PAJCCI.
He also extended a vote of thanks to Government and Ministry of Commerce of both the countries in supporting PAJCCI and acknowledging its contributions.
Deputy Minister Trade, Muzammil Shinwari also lauded role of PAJCCI in becoming a true representative of the business community across the border and also for sharing strategic feedback with the ministries for its useful inclusion and implementation.
Zubair Motiwala invited Honourable President Ghani, Vice President Afghanistan and HE Karzai at PAJCCI's upcoming conference in Dubai to be held in March, focused on regional integration and investment opportunities in both countries which would be a breakthrough initiative to enhance connectivity in regional business landscape.
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