Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has appreciated Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) for organising Pakistan-Afghanistan Central Asian Republic States (CARs) Trade Summit. Addressing the ceremony at RCCI, he said that Joint Business Council, comprising leading businessmen from both countries, has also been established to increase business to business interaction.
Presently, Pak-Afghan bilateral trade has increased from US $1.11 billion in 2005-06 to $1.84 billion in 2015-16. Exports from Pakistan to Afghanistan have increased from US $1.06 billion to $1.43 billion during this period and there is a big potential to enhance this trade, added the Finance Minister.
The minister stated that Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Co-ordination Authority (APTTCA) has been established to monitor effective implementation of the Pak-Afghan Transit Trade Agreement 2010. So far, six APTTCA meetings have been held. Talking about the potential of the trade between the countries of CARs, the minister said that five Central Asian States, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with combined GDP of $445 billion and population of 66 million, offer a sizeable market for Pakistan's goods, services and investment.
He said Pakistan is now well positioned to play a pivotal role in enhancing economic co-operation with Afghanistan and CARs. Government's economic policies, under leadership of PM, have resulted in macroeconomic stability within two and a half years, contrary to international predictions of five years. Now, the target is higher, sustainable, and inclusive growth.
On the growth forecasts of Pakistan in future, the minister shared with the participants that IMF raised GDP growth forecast for Pakistan for FY 2017 from 4.7% to 5%, and projected GDP growth of 5.5% in FY 2021.ADB raised GDP forecast for Pakistan for 2017 from 4.8% to 5.2%.
Harvard University study has projected 5.07% annual GDP growth for Pakistan till 2024. World Bank projected 5% GDP growth for Pakistan in FY 2017 and 5.4% in FY 2018. He reiterated that it is the firm resolve of the government to achieve a higher and more sustainable growth. The minister also said that the initiatives like CAREC and CPEC, and Pakistan's commitment to join in the Ashgabat Agreement and Lapis Lazuli Corridor will further support the CARs trade plans.
The minister also said that the Government of Pakistan is highly desirous of peace and stability in Afghanistan and is making serious efforts to help the Afghan government in this regard. "Our region is very rich in economic, human and natural resources and the connectivity of this region will usher in new vistas of prosperity. CPEC is a game changer and we would like other neighbouring countries to take advantage of this project," he said.
The minister assured RCCI that the government will seriously consider their charter of demands presented by the president of RCCI. The ceremony was attended by members of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, business leaders and Ambassadors from different countries.
The minister thanked Raja Amer Iqbal, President, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Executive Committee of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry for arranging the ceremony and making all-out efforts towards promotion of regional trade and co-operation-PR