Afghanistan wants to export its cotton to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan wants to export its cotton to Pakistan, and both the countries have decided to facilitate bilateral trade. According to official announcements made here on Thursday, the ceremony of signing the agreed minutes of Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral trade meeting was held on 8th May, 2018, at the Ministry of Commerce.

The agreed minutes were inked by Mohammad Younus Dagha, Commerce Secretary from Pakistani side; whereas, Kamila Sidiqi, Deputy Minister for Industries and Commerce, affixed signatures on the minutes on behalf of the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Federal Minister for Commerce, Mohammad Pervaiz Malik; Omar Zakhilwal, Afghanistan Ambassador to Pakistan, officials of the Ministry of Commerce and Textiles, members of the Afghan ministerial delegation and embassy officials were present on the occasion.

It is worth mentioning here that the Afghan ministerial delegation who arrived in Islamabad on 7th May, 2018, had been holding policy and expert level talks with Pakistani counterparts for improvement of trade relations. After the signing ceremony, both sides had a brief discussion and expressed desire to enhance trade relations between the two countries by overcoming existing challenges/impediments through frequent interaction and extending facilitation.

The announcement by the Prime Minister of Pakistan during his recent visit to Afghanistan regarding removal of regulatory duties on import of Afghan products was discussed during the recent visit and talks. As per discussions on 8th May, 2018, at the Ministry of Commerce, Afghanistan side, requested for removal of the RDs from fresh fruits, vegetables, dry-fruits and other goods. The Ministry of Commerce assured Afghanistan of accommodating its request to all possible extent. In addition it was also agreed to facilitate Afghan cotton exports to Pakistan.

The Afghan delegation thanked the Pakistani government for their hospitality and for showing the spirit of accommodation about concerns of Afghan side on SPS/Quarantine certification and regulatory duties. The ambassador of Afghanistan assured to remove impediments in bilateral and transit trade with Pakistan.