Ambassador of Tajikistan in Pakistan, Nasredin Ismatullo has called for removal of impediments to further cement bilateral trade and economic ties with Pakistan. While addressing at Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Thursday, Nasredin said that Pakistan and Tajikistan should enhance mutual economic relations by exchange of business delegations and be to be meeting among them.
SCCI President, Faiz Muhammad Faizi, Senior Vice President Engr Saad Khan Zahid, Vice President Haris Mufti, First Secretary Embassy of Tajikistan, Buriev Bahodur, Honorary Consul General in Peshawar, Engr Said Mehmood, members of the executive body, businessmen, exporters and traders were present in the meeting.
Faiz Muhammad while addressing on the occasion pointed out bottlenecks that had impeded the mutual trade volume and economic relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan. He suggested that concrete measures should be taken, such as striking free trade agreements, formation of joint chamber of commerce and exchange of business to business delegation along with transit route facility to further bolster the bilateral economic and trade relations.
SCCI chief further said that Peshawar is golden gateway to Central Asian Republic Countries (CAR). He said there's huge potential to make investment in honey, pharmaceutical, marble, hydro power generation, gems and jewellery, oil, ghee, chemical, mineral as well as other important sectors.
Faiz Muhammad invited the Tajikistan companies to make investment in aforementioned potential sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said that trade volume between Pakistan and Tajikistan stood around $62 million, which can be boosted up further by removal of all those hurdles and common issues.
Nasredin Ismatullo agreed with proposals presented by SCCI president regarding removal of impediment in way of trade and commerce relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan. He assured that they will take all possible measures to facilitate the business community at every extent. He said that CASA-1000 is a mega power generation project, which would meet the growing energy shortage of Pakistan.
The diplomat acknowledged that the Peshawar geo-political position, especially significance in CASA-1000 project. He said that security situation is improving in neighbouring Afghanistan which has positive sign to enlarge trilateral trade relations.
Also, he added it would address issue, being faced by exporters, businessmen and traders. He pointed out that political conditions were the main hurdle to address all those issues that were impeded the mutual trade and commerce relationship between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.