Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Anwar Anwarzai has offered his government's assistance to Pakistani businessmen interested in setting up industry in that country.
The diplomat, during his visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), told his audience that his country's economic situation was quite conducive where Pakistani businessmen should cash in on the opportunity.
He identified two areas, including housing and infrastructure, where Pakistani businessmen could join hands with their Afghan counterparts. "Afghanistan is a member of all the regional blocs, including ECO and SAARC, and the need of the hour is that this unification should be translated into actions," he added.
He also said the establishment of Gwadar port was welcome news for his country, definitely giving a new boost to the existing trade ties between the two countries since the Karachi Port was insufficient to cater to the requirements of Afghan businessmen because of paucity of space.
He LCCI President Mohammad Ali Mian to arrange a business delegation to Afghanistan, enabling Pakistani businessmen to have first-hand knowledge of available investment opportunities.
In his speech, LCCI President Mohammad Ali Mian said his chamber was planning to hold a single country exhibition of Pakistani products and that the trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan could really touch the peak, if both sides took initiatives in passing on relevant trade information to the other side. He said the Afghan Ministry of Commerce could be an effective player in encouraging Afghan business houses to develop contacts with chambers in Pakistan.
Mian also said the role of regional blocs was important for the expansion of trade ties and that the ECO needed the attention of all stakeholders, especially the member states. He said the road linkages between Pakistan and Central Asian States through Afghanistan would be a big step in activating the ECO.
He went on to say the fact remained that exchange of trade delegations and exhibitions went a long way in expanding the economic relations and for this reason only, his chamber had decided to hold a single country exhibition.
He said Pakistani businessmen were ready to launch joint ventures with their Afghan counterparts, but in this the Afghan Commerce Ministry would have to play a role because improper information was coming in the way. He also said there were only two access points - Pishin and the Torkham border - and that there was a dire need to open up more access points since the current points were insufficient to cater to the needs of those involved in business with Afghanistan.
Besides the LCCI President, Senior Vice-President Mian Muzaffar Ali and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Afghanistan Mian Nauman Kabir, also making spoke on the occasion.
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