Jordan, Afghanistan seek to boost economic, trade cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Jordan and Afghanistan seek to boost economic and trade cooperation with Pakistan.

Ambassador of Jordan Major General Ibrahim Yala Al-Madani (retd) and Ambassador of Afghanistan Najibullah Alikhel said this in separate meetings with National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser in the Parliament House on Tuesday.

Ambassador Major General (retd) Ibrahim Yala Al-Madani said that Jordan values its close fraternal relations with Pakistan, and seeks to expand them further. He said that Jordan seeks to boost economic and trade cooperation with Pakistan. He said that undoubtedly there are excellent trade opportunities between the two countries that can be tapped for mutual benefit. He said that apart from cooperation in diverse economic sectors, collaboration to tap tourism potential in Pakistan and Jordan should also be pondered.

Later, Ambassador of Afghanistan Najibullah Alikhel acknowledged that excellent trade opportunities exist between the two countries that would be further utilized for mutual benefit. He also expressed his gratitude to the Speaker Asad Qaiser for his efforts to address impediments in visa access and bilateral trade. He said that the Parliament can play an important role in further strengthening relations between the two countries. He termed the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan to Afghanistan, an important milestone in bringing the two countries more closely.

Speaker Asad Qaiser said that recent engagement between the political hierarchy, parliamentarians, and business communities had brought both the nations closer. He said that Pakistan seeks further enhancement of cooperation with Afghanistan for economic and regional development.

Speaking about the recommendations of the Executive Committee of the Pak-Afghan Friendship Group, the speaker said that majority of the recommendation on visa and Pak-Afghan Trade and Investment have been implemented. He said that the signing of MoUs on long-term trade and investment agreements between the two countries will further boost trade and investment.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020