The delegation of Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PAJCCI), led by Zubair Motiwala, Chairman & Khan Jan Alokozai, Co-Chairman met with the Secretary Commerce on Saturday at the Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad.
During the meeting, Motiwala reiterated the significance of economic ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Secretary Commerce, Mohammad Younus Dagha, assured the delegation that Pakistan gives an immense importance to the relationship with Afghanistan. Pakistan had invited the Afghan Minister for Commerce for meeting in Islamabad in January 2018, although Afghanistan had postponed 7th APTTCA meeting indefinitely. The Ministry of Commerce desired to discuss all outstanding issues of bilateral and transit trade and have been working vigorously to resolve the impediments from the Pakistan side.
It was pointed out that, a draft text of the proposed PTA has been shared with Afghanistan through diplomatic channels in 2014. During the 10th session of Pak-Afghan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting held in Islamabad on 23rd November, 2015, the Afghan side assured to convey their response on the draft text of the PTA by January, 2016, which is still awaited. Pakistan is willing to have PTA with Afghanistan.
The delegation discussed problems relating to customs valuation, bonded carriers, regulatory duty, quarantine issues, visa issues faced by businessmen from both sides. It was agreed that Visa regime in both the countries should be improved further by making categories like: business visa and visit visa. For business visa specifically, the PAJCCI recommendation letter should be made mandatory, so that it can authenticate the process and resolve the irritants.
Alokozai acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Commerce, Pakistan and resolved to work to arrange 7th meeting of APTTCA and bilateral ministerial meeting as soon as possible due to historical brotherly relations between the two countries. Motiwala on behalf of PAJCCI assured support and facilitation for holding APTCCA meeting even in Pakistan, if it needed.-PR
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