Traders urge joint efforts to boost Pak-Afghan trade

Traders from Pakistan and Afghanistan have urged Islamabad and Kabul to set aside the political differences and make joint efforts to boost bilateral and transit trade between the two neighbouring countries.

The participants urged the government of Pakistan to devise a separate policy or mechanism for Afghan traders to pave the way to get them registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and other authorities so they will contribute their share in Pakistan's economy.

They also attributed the strict regulations, complicated laws and cumbersome procedures as main hurdles in bolstering Pak-Afghan mutual trade and transit trade.

The Pak-Afghan traders were addressing a meeting at the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Friday.

Participants of the meeting discussed the problems and irritants being faced by traders on both sides of the border, which have hampered bilateral trade between the two neighbouring countries.

Afghan Commercial Attache in Peshawar Fawad Arash said his country is keen to bolster bilateral and transit trade with Pakistan. In this regard, he added that the Afghan government has taken pragmatic steps and resolved issues of traders' community on priority basis.

The diplomat said that promotion of Pak-Afghan trade and economic relations is essential for bringing economic prosperity and development in the whole region. Therefore, he added that Kabul is taking serious steps to resolve issues of traders' communities on both sides of the border.

SCCI President Sherbaz Bilour noted that there is huge potential to further strengthen mutual trade relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, he emphasised that both the countries should set aside political differences and make joint efforts to bolster bilateral trade by resolving traders' issues amicably.