Positive outlook: Commerce minister confident of improving trade ties
Leaves for Afghanistan with economic progress in mind.
During the visit, trade facilitation between the two neighbouring countries would be discussed. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Minister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan said that the thawing of relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan had injected new hope that CASA-1000 and TAPI projects would materialise soon.
He said this before leaving for Afghanistan, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce.
The minister said the present government was all set to expand and further strengthen trade ties with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics.
According to Khan, the government was looking towards Central Asian Republics in a bid to open up new avenues for trade enhancement.
He said in order to further strengthen coordination, a separate desk had been formed at the ministry for these countries.
“The previous year’s economic performance , conclusion of the Pak-US Business Opportunities Conference, successful Trade Policy Review by WTO and stable rating by Moody’s International clearly depict that economic policies of the present government are in a positive direction,” the minister remarked.
Pakistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan transit trade agreement would also come under discussion during the visit. The agreement would unveil opportunities that ensure economic connectivity and integration for the whole region.
The minister is scheduled to hold meetings with Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani, Afghan chief executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Afghan National Economic Advisor Omar Zakhilwal and Afghan Finance Minister Eklil Ahmed Hakimi.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2015.
Minister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan said that the thawing of relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan had injected new hope that CASA-1000 and TAPI projects would materialise soon.
He said this before leaving for Afghanistan, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce.
The minister said the present government was all set to expand and further strengthen trade ties with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics.
According to Khan, the government was looking towards Central Asian Republics in a bid to open up new avenues for trade enhancement.
He said in order to further strengthen coordination, a separate desk had been formed at the ministry for these countries.
“The previous year’s economic performance , conclusion of the Pak-US Business Opportunities Conference, successful Trade Policy Review by WTO and stable rating by Moody’s International clearly depict that economic policies of the present government are in a positive direction,” the minister remarked.
Pakistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan transit trade agreement would also come under discussion during the visit. The agreement would unveil opportunities that ensure economic connectivity and integration for the whole region.
The minister is scheduled to hold meetings with Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani, Afghan chief executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Afghan National Economic Advisor Omar Zakhilwal and Afghan Finance Minister Eklil Ahmed Hakimi.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2015.