Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday wrapped up two-day parlays on issues being faced by businessmen of both countries under the umbrella of Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Co-ordination Authority (APTTCA). Both countries started talks on October 11 this year amid accusations by Kabul that Pakistani official were creating undue hurdles in smooth implementation on Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), guaranteed by the United States.
Pakistani officials and private sector, especially transporters, also hurled allegations against Afghan customs officials, accusing them of seeking bribes from all trucks going from Pakistan. Acting Secretary Commerce Munir Qureshi led Pakistan''s team whereas Afghanistan side was represented by Vice-Minister for Commerce and Industry Mozamal Shinwari.
"Both the countries have agreed on 20 points during the two-day-long discussion on the current unresolved issues," said an official. It was decided that Afghanistan and Pakistan''s customs departments would exchange export and import documents within 15-20 days.
Issues, including transit trade routes, levies on vehicles, bank guarantees, insurance and installation of tracking system on trucks were also discussed. Pakistan''s team raised the issue of Afghan customs documents being issued in Dari/ Pashto languages. The Pakistani team requested that English should also be incorporated on such forms. The Afghan side assured that they would examine the issue as quickly as possible.
The Afghan team requested Pakistan to allow the facility of partial shipment for transit consignments. The Pakistani side agreed to allow this facility by December 1 when new software would be in place by customs authorities in Pakistan. The Pakistan side apprised the Afghan side on Turkey''s proposal to include Taftan as a designated entry point in APTTA for transportation of export cargo by Gul Train. The Afghan side informed that they will respond to the matter after consultations with relevant stakeholders.
The Afghan side pointed out that the Chinese mining company working in Afghanistan had imported certain mining vehicles in Afghanistan. A request in this regard has already been forwarded to Pakistan''s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consideration. The Afghan side was assured that on receiving a copy of the correspondence, the matter would be considered for resolution on priority basis.
The Afghan side also sought assistance to waive $3 million incurred on account of demurrages paid by an Afghan importer on a consignment of wheat donated by India to Afghanistan. The amount is being demanded from the government of Afghanistan. Pakistan side assured to look into the matter once a formal request was received.
Pakistan highlighted that the Transit Rules by Afghanistan were yet to he finalised and shared with Pakistan Customs authorities. The Afghan side assured that the Rules would he finalised and shared with Pakistan within a month. The Afghan side was requested to nominate officers for Border Committees to oversee the undue charges and other issues as agreed in the 8th JEC. The Afghan side responded that they would expedite conveying their nominations to the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan.
The Afghan side pointed out that importers encountered difficulties while transiting their imported vehicles in containers through Pakistan. On the proposal of Afghan side, Pakistan side agreed that henceforth transit in car carriers will he allowed. The Afghan side raised the issue of security of transit cargo en route Pakistan and cited some incidents of loss of goods. The Pakistan side assured that the matter would be taken up with the authorities concerned at federal and provincial levels to enhance the security of transit cargo.
The Afghan side pointed out that difficulties were being faced by Afghan importers in clearance of their transit consignments in Karachi. Pakistan side agreed to constitute a committee, comprising customs officials, Afghan Commercial Attaché at Karachi, and two representatives of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (one each from Afghanistan and Pakistan) to resolve operational issues. They will meet as and when the need arises.
The Afghan side pointed out that certain items were not being allowed for transit through Pakistan despite the operationalisation of APTTA 2010. The Pakistan side promised to examine the matter. Haji Fatheh Khan Bianzai, the President Federation of International Transport Companies of Pakistan, told Business Recorder that talks with Afghan delegation were "very constructive" and both sides vowed to resolve all issues confronting transit trade. He said, both countries expressed the desire to increase bilateral trade.
Comments
Comments are closed.