Pakistan-Afghanistan chamber emphasises regional integration

It is vital to support stability, growth across region.

KARACHI: Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry Co-President and Delegation Leader to Tajikistan Mohammad Zubair Motiwala during his visit to Tajikistan highlighted regional integration for businesses in South Asia with Central Asia for stability and economic growth across the region.

“It is vital that each country maintains its sanctity and operates under its defined boundary. Like the EU, it is high time that countries in South Asia and Central Asia should coordinate effectively to support the economic horizons across the region,” he said, while addressing the session at Multilateral Business to Business Forum between Afghanistan, Krygyztan, Pakistan and Tajikistan.



Motiwala also emphasised significant opportunities in Pakistan for mutually beneficial ventures and pointed out the 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.

PAJCCI in its endeavors to unveil untapped opportunities across the region and enhance business linkages with CIS countries, took the 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 preview by Kayumova Gulru, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan. He deliberated upon trading, business and investment opportunities in Tajikistan and on Tajikistan’s significant placement as a first link in CIS region.

Suzan Elliott, US Ambassador in Tajikistan 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.

The session also had presentations from Asananali Karamaliev - Deputy Chairman of Tajikistan Chamber, Hassib Rahimi, Executive Director Kabul Chamber and Rima Apasova, Deputy Chairman Krygyztan Chamber. The session was followed by discussions on trade, transit and travel issues and advocacy parameters were identified accordingly.

Each delegate was provided an opportunity to introduce his organisation and desired field of interests. 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. Chamber to chamber meetings in order to finalise 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 discussed banking practices, opportunities and challenges in Tajikistan and highlighted the contributions of NBP to facilitate Pakistani businesses in Central Asia. He also met Ambassador of Pakistan Amjad Sial along with General Manager NBP and Secretary General, Faiza Nasir.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2014.

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