An action plan need to be urgently installed "with a positive perspective" to minimise trade losses between Pakistan and Afghanistan as the benefit is being derived by other stakeholders as per available statistics.
This was emphasised at a meeting held here recently between Afghan delegation and Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Munir Qureshi where board members of Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), office bearers of KCCI and representatives from British High Commission and Afghan consulate were also present.
After receiving comprehensive input, Commerce Secretary advised that the focus should greatly be on the strategy as to what should be done to improve trade ties between the two countries. He applauded the efforts of PAJCCI executive body in taking the initiative to strengthen trade ties between two neighbourly countries and assured support from the ministry as and when needed.
He said that reforms could be devised but efforts from both ends are necessary and welcomed draft and proposal on Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA). After submission a meeting may be called at the ministry of commerce for further discussion and most importantly to strategize it effectively, he assured.
Earlier in his address President, PAJCCI, M Zubair Motiwala highlighted that: "Pakistan and Afghanistan are actually one land, there is no border, our hearts beats together, we have common language and religion, therefore, to have an effective and strong bilateral relationship is not a far cry."
He elaborated that the significance of this platform is such where business communities across the border are getting an opportunity to decide their fate. The strategies devised jointly by them will be presented to the political government in both the countries to be inculcated in the Strategic Business Framework (SBR).
He raised issues related to Afghan Transit Trade and explained initiative of PAJCCI's governing body to review APTTA 2010 for the mutual benefit of business entities in both the countries. Motiwala articulated that inputs and reservations from both sides of the border will then be presented to the respective ministries in both the countries for devising proper reforms. He informed that duty structure may be reviewed in order to provide an equal chance to Pakistani businessmen to compete effectively.
M Yonass Momand, Head of Afghan delegation and Vice-President, PAJCCI-Afghan chapter commended efforts of PAJCCI-Pakistan chapter in providing them with the promised platform to rejuvenate business ties between the two nations. He emphasised that Afghanistan is a land of opportunities and they would be glad to see Pakistani businessmen capitalising them in the near future. He believed that the two countries are very close and respective business communities are critically eager to trading and joint ventures with each other, especially in the field of construction and engineering.
Engr. Daroo Khan, Vice-President, PAJCCI-Pakistan chapter highlighted Chamber's role as highly significant in border trade facilitation and sought support of Commerce Ministry in this regard. Zia Sarhandi, Director, PAJCCI elaborated on the existing challenges due to ineffective execution of APTTA that has resulted in unemployment and major business losses at the border.
Mian Abrara Ahmad, President, KCCI focused on the efficacy of strengthening of regional trade for the greater good of not only neighbouring countries but also for Europe and USA as it also opens an increasingly beneficial market for their products. Daood Moosa, Director, PAJCCI touched upon the stance of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) against the formation of this chamber and briefed that this entity is duly licensed by the respective ministries in both the countries, which reaffirms its status as legal.
It is the prerogatives of the offering countries to register entities in such instances and provide license through competent authority. In this case Ministry of Commerce is a competent authority that has granted license to both FPCCI and PAJCCI. This formation is not only legal but highly needed, keeping in view the desires of business communities on both sides of the border. Daood further requested that APTTA meetings must be regularised and conducted as per schedule as it provides a very important platform for sharing of feedback.
Atiqullah Momizada, Vice-President, PAJCCI-Afghan chapter commented: "we are called separate countries but this is not the case." Business relations will further strengthen bilateral ties and an upcoming trade delegation from Pakistan to Afghanistan will be a good example in this regard, he said.
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