KARACHI: It is vital that each country maintains its sanctity and operates under its defined boundary nonetheless like EU. It is high time that countries in South Asia and Central Asia should coordinate effectively to support the economic horizons across the region. This was enforced by PAJCCI’s Co-President and Delegation Leader to Tajikistan, Muhammad Zubair Motiwala while addressing the session at Multilateral Business to Business Forum between Afghanistan, Krygyztan, Pakistan and Tajikistan held in Dushanbe during 23-25 June 2014.
PAJCCI in its endeavors to unveil untapped opportunities across the region is actively pursuing its objective to enhance business linkages with CIS countries and strengthening ties with Afghanistan. In order to pursue its objectives to facilitate regional integration and rejuvenate links with CIS countries, PAJCCI took this initiative to visit Dushanbe, Tajikistan to attend Business to Business meetings conducted by USAID/Afghanistan Trade Revenue Project (ATAR).
The forum was inaugurated with a comprehensive preview by Kayumova Gulru, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan. She deliberated upon trading, business and investment opportunities in Tajikistan and also on Tajikistan’s significant placement as a first link in CIS region. Ms. Suzan Elliott, US Ambassador in Tajikistan greatly appreciated this effort to bring together business representatives from the four countries at one platform to help capitalize the mutually beneficial opportunities cumulatively. She further added that US Embassy and USAID are eagerly following the mission to develop strong ties between Central and South Asia through direct private sector engagement.
Mubin Rustamov, Program Coordinator UNDP also shed light on their contributions to facilitate business ties across the region and showed great intentions to facilitate the same from this platform in future as well. Motiwala Co-President PAJCCI also highlighted significant opportunities in Pakistan and discussed the possibilities for mutually beneficial ventures. He also highlighted success of forums like Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry and enforced that regional forum like such may be developed to nourish each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
The session also had presentations from Asananali Karamaliev – Deputy Chairman of Tajikistan Chamber, Hassib Rahimi, Executive Director Kabul Chamber and Ms. Rima Apasova, Deputy Chairman Krygyztan Chamber. The session was very well-attended by participants from Tajikistan and delegation from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Krygyztan. The session was followed by discussions on trade, transit and travel issues and advocacy parameters were identified accordingly.
The business community was also given sectoral tours of Textile, Construction, Confectionary and Food processing units. Individual visits as per delegates’ requirements were also planned.
On the last day, chamber to chamber meetings in order to finalize advocacy plan and development of joint forum to facilitate businesses in respective countries was also conducted, moderated by USAID/ATAR representatives.
PAJCCI delegation also met Moinuddin Khan, General Manager National Bank of Pakistan who deliberated upon banking practices, opportunities and challenges in Tajikistan. He also highlighted contributions of NBP to facilitate Pakistani businesses in Central Asia. Motiwala also met Ambassador of Pakistan, Amjad Sial along with General Manager NBP and Secretary General, Faiza Nasir. The discussions included initiation for important business collaborations, need to revisit APTTA to include Tajikistan and openings for travel connections and visa facilitations across the region to strengthen economic ties.
PAJCCI through this platform will significantly aid in enhancing bilateral trade with Tajikistan and also would register impact throughout Central Asia.
