The 9th Session of Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) hosted by the Afghan Ministry of Finance in Kabul from 22-24 February decided to keenly look forward to the implementation of CASA 1000 and TAPI projects, work together to further expand co-operation in Kunar Hydro power project and undertake appropriate measures to enhance bilateral trade.
A joint statement on Monday said the meeting agreed that all issues raised by the Afghan side on the implementation of APTTA would be considered by Pakistan and the results will be reviewed in the relevant customs experts meeting scheduled by end of March 2014. Pakistan's side agreed to speed up the pace of work on various development projects being undertaken in Afghanistan through its financial assistance. The Afghan Government, on its part, agreed to expedite provision of electricity to the projects.
The Pakistan side shared a new draft for the Avoidance of Double Taxation treaty. Both sides agreed to further discuss issues involving "Avoidance of Double Taxation" treaty at the earliest. The Afghan side welcomed the extension of scholarship scheme for students from 2000 scholarships to 3000. A number of proposals for possible co-operation between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the areas of Petroleum & Natural Resources, Industries & Production, and Agriculture & Livestock were also discussed during the meeting.
In addition to attending the JEC Session at Kabul, Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and his Afghan counterpart also visited major projects constructed by Pakistan under its bilateral assistance programme including recommencement of works on Torkham-Jalalabad additional carriageway, Nishtar Kidney Centre in Jalalabad and the Liaqat Ali Khan Engineering Faculty of Balkh University in Mazar-i-Sharif.
Finance Minister Dar also visited the under construction Rehman Baba School and Hostel in Kabul which would accommodate up to 1500 students. Minister of Border and Tribal Affairs Dr Akram Khpalwak welcomed the Minister during the visit to the School. Both the Finance Ministers also met the Governors of Nangarhar and Mazar-i-Sharif and attended official luncheons hosted in their honour during the visit to the two provincial capitals.
During the two-day JEC session, detailed meetings were held between the experts of the two sides on a number of issues, especially focusing on Trade, Commerce & Industry co-operation in Communication & Connectivity, Energy, Agriculture& Livestock and Education. The status of various development projects being undertaken in Afghanistan with the financial assistance of Pakistan was also reviewed in detail. Despite financial constraints faced by Pakistan, Prime Minister of Pakistan generously enhanced the overall size of portfolio of development projects in Afghanistan from $385 million to $500 million as a gesture of goodwill to the people of Afghanistan during his last visit to Kabul in November 2013. Both the Co-Chairs addressed the concluding ceremony, signed the agreed minutes of the session and addressed a Joint Press Conference.
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