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Karachi, January 10, 2017 (PPI-OT): PAJCCI as part of its legacy, intends to enhance and rejuvenate business ties between the two countries in specific and within the region in general. Keeping current confidence level and business stagnance in view, PAJCCI is conducting several activities to help re-establish confidence building measures. In this context, 12-member delegation comprising high level officials both from Pakistan and Afghanistan met board of PAJCCI with respect to “Beyond Boundaries Project – Phase II”.
The Afghan delegation was led by Mr. Khalid Pashtoon and Pakistan delegation by Dr. Shoaib Suddle. Junaid Makda, Director PAJCCI, on behalf of Zubair Motiwala, President PAJCCI, conducted the briefing. He presented the introduction and work procedure of PAJCCI, while also highlighting the achievements of PAJCCI in a short span of time in strengthening the business across the border. He enlisted several initiatives taken that has formally aided policy making and arbitration amongst private sector of both the countries and nourish regional integration for mutual benefits. He highlighted tariff rationalization and development of export house as dire need of time.
Khalid Pashtoon, Head of Afghan delegation, highlighted stressing matters and encouraged PAJCCI to voice the mutual concerns for amicable resolution. He also added that Afghan businesses are compelled to conduct business with Iran as facilitation from Pakistan is significantly compromised upon.
Mozammil Shinwari, Former Deputy Minister of Ministry of Commerce and Industries – Afghanistan, expressed his views on transit and bilateral trade, further he pointed out major irritants pertinent to transit trade and established that due to official bottlenecks, transit trade between the two countries has declined drastically from 65% to 27%. He also added that Karachi is the most economical route for Transit Trade for Afghanistan; however, Iran’s facilitation to Afghan businessmen is pulling the business away.
While acknowledging PAJCCI’s role in strengthening bilateral trade, Shoaib Suddle, Head of Pakistan delegation, iterated that further improvements may be brought and the mutual trade must flourish. He agreed that there are so many problems between both the countries but both the governments should take steps to improve trade relationship for greater good.
Faiza, Secretary General PAJCCI, raised visa related issues and mentioned that accession to India under Transit umbrella is an uncalled for demand as India is not a complementary country rather a competing country that is affecting Pakistani businesses. The bilateral relations needs to be more established between Pakistan and India before inclusion in tri-lateral relations, however, Tajikistan being another land-locked country must be included in the tri-lateral bond.
Lastly, Shazia Marri, Member of Standing Committee of Commerce – National Assembly, appreciated this forum’s contribution and commended role of PAJCCI in the betterment of Pakistan Afghanistan Transit and Bilateral Trade. Further, she invited PAJCCI board in the Standing Committee of National Assembly on Commerce to discuss the problems more precisely and also promised to raise the highlighted matters at government level for prompt and considerate resolution.
For more information, contact:
Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI)
Tel: +92-21-99218024-7
Fax: +92-21-99218028
Email: info@pajcci.com