A meeting between the high officials of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI) and Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) regarding the establishment of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PAJCCI) was held at KCCI for deliberation on organisation of the chamber, its operational plan of activities and formation of Executive Committee and General Assembly.
In the meeting of PAJCCI held at KCCI, renewed Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Vice Chairman of ACCI, Khan Jan Alokozay and President, KCCI, Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad, on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. Other counter-signatories of the renewed MoU were President of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Riaz Arshad and President of Chaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Haji Kamaluddin Kakar.
The President-KCCI and Vice Chairman-ACCI jointly stated that they are optimistic that PAJCCI, comprising of representatives of the leading chambers of both countries, will make deliberations for mutual interest of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The renewed MoU as subsequent to the Memorandum of Understanding of 21st December, 2009 for establishing PAJCCI, focus on bringing the business representatives of both the countries close on a private initiative.
PAJCCI will provide a forum for more systematic business-promotional activities in bilateral trade, investment, technology transfer, services, and promotion of joint ventures in industrial sectors. The PAJCCI will be the regular and recognised platform for discussion on promotion of bilateral trade and allied activities between the industrial and business entities of both countries.
The MoU also highlights that PAJCCI Executive Committee and General Assembly meetings will be organised in Afghanistan and Pakistan alternatively and in consultation with the ACCI & KCCI. The Executive Committee and General Assemblies of either side shall be composed of private sector businesspersons to be nominated by ACCI & KCCI as defined in the by laws being jointly compiled.
Chairman, Businessmen Group & former President-KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli, President, KCCI, Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad, Vice Chairmen & former Presidents-KCCI, Tahir Khaliq, Zubair Motiwala, Haroon Farooki and Anjum Nisar, Senior Vice President, Rasheeduddin Rashid, Vice President, Javed Ahmed Vohra and Managing Committee Members of KCCI welcomed the establishing of PAJCCI and were optimistic that it would prove as a productive forum to enhance the bilateral trade and relationship. They also appreciated the support of the governments, of Shahid Bashir, Senior Joint Secretary, Syed Irtiqa Ahmed Zaidi, Project Director, Trade & Transport Facilitation Project, Ministry of Commerce-Pakistan and Adib Farhadi, Deputy Minister Commerce-Afghanistan.
The idea for establishment of Pak-Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry was evolved after deliberation and meetings of businesspersons from both the countries in Kabul and Islamabad. Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, for revision of Afghan Transit Trade Agreement and other matters of bilateral trade and relationship, represented as former President-KCCI in the meetings held between private sectors of both countries, during the 5th round of Afghanistan Pakistan Negotiations at Islamabad from December 19-21, 2009. There, an understanding was developed to form PAJCCI to address and resolve the issues of informal trade.
According to the MoU signed, it was agreed and decided to form a joint chamber wherein the nominees will be appointed from Pakistan side viz Karachi, Quetta, Sarhad and Chaman Chambers, whereas from Afghanistan side viz Kabul, Kandhar, Jalalabad, Herat, Mazar and Kahost Chambers. Counterparts from both countries also presented their lists of sensitive items of illicit trade that required immediate attention. Representatives from both sides also agreed to expedite formation of PAJCCI on most urgent basis.
On the recommendation of Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, it was also agreed that the KCCI premises and secretariat will be offered to execute the housing and functioning of the joint chamber till a proper place and secretariat for the said chamber is established. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce has already endorsed the formation of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Director Public Relations Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Rohullah Ahmadzai, Former Presidents-KCCI, Anjum Nisar, A.Q. Khalil, Senior Vice President, Rasheeduddin Rashid and Vice President, Javed Ahmed Vohra also participated in the meeting.-PR
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