Delegation of over 30 Afghan businessmen is likely to accompany Ghani
Pakistan has always welcomed Afghan president’s focus on strengthening trade ties which would favour both economies
ISLAMABAD: The Commerce Ministry eyes a robust increase in bilateral trade with Afghanistan as a result of upcoming visit of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to Pakistan.
Ghani is expected to visit Pakistan in next two or three days. However, neither Pakistani nor Afghan Foreign Affairs Ministry had made an official announcement in this regard.
A Commerce Ministry source told Customs Today that the ministry had made all arrangements and finalised the required programme and meetings.
The source said that a delegation of over 30 Afghan businessmen would accompany Ghani and would hold meetings with their Pakistani counterparts as well as officials concerned at the Commerce Ministry.
He said that the Afghan delegation would focus on issues pertaining to bilateral trade, customs duties as well as implementation of the Pak-Afghan Transit Trade Agreement in letter and spirit.
“Afghan Commerce Minister Muhammad Shaker Kargar, Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PAJCCI) President Khan Jan Alkozai along with heads of other chambers of commerce and industries of Afghanistan will also come along with Ashraf Ghani,” the source said, adding that the visit would definitely prove helpful in addressing the concerns of trade fraternity of both the countries.
The source said that Afghan delegation would hold talks regarding industries such as cement, plastic, wheat, flour and sugar.
President Ghani had been keen to enhance trade ties with Pakistan in order to pave the way for a mutually beneficial partnership. The Afghan government wishes to receive business delegations from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) to explore opportunities for close and cooperative ties.
On the other side, Pakistan had always welcomed the Afghan president’s focus on strengthening trade ties which would surely favour both the economies.
