KABUL: The bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has decreased by more than 40 per cent in the last three months.
According to the Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), the recent souring of relations between the two countries is largely behind this development. The PAJCCI officials said that Afghan businessmen in particular have reduced the number of products, particularly food that they import and are instead turning to other regional countries for supplies.
Last year, Afghanistan and Pakistan’s trade volume totalled an estimated $9 billion – this year, however, projections are that this will top no more than $5 billion. Already, PAJCCI said the recent move has had a negative impact on factories in Pakistan and resulted in the closure of a number of such businesses in the neighbouring country.
“Bad relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have caused this drop in trade between the two countries. Even a number of Pakistani investors have raised concerns over the issue,” deputy chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) Khan Jan Alokozay said.
