Joint efforts urged for better Pak-Afghan trade

PESHAWAR: Pakistan and Afghanistan need to undertake joint measures to facilitate the business community on both sides of the Durand Line to boost bilateral trade.

This was urged by Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Senior Vice President Shahid Hussain during a meeting with the Afghan Consul General Najeebullah Ahmadzai in Peshawar on Thursday.

Hussain stressed the need for removing all hurdles to trade between the two neighbouring countries. He called upon both Islamabad and Kabul to facilitate business community and find solutions to issues hampering bilateral trade.

He observed that Pak-Afghan trade volumes were quite low. But this can be enhanced by taking joint measures by both sides. In this regard, he demanded that both sides issue visas to the business community in time. The SCCI vice president further said that Pak-Afghan Transit Trade Agreement 2010 should be reviewed and concerns of the business community should be addressed.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2020.