SCCI demands removal of hurdles to Pak-Afghan trade

PESHAWAR: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz has stressed the need for removal of hurdles to trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He called upon the Islamabad and Kabul to facilitate the business community to strengthen the mutual economic relations between the two countries. The SCCI chief termed the increase in regulatory duties and tariff, delay in issuance of visas and lack of facilities at the border as major obstacles in way of bolstering the mutual trade ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He was talking to Afghanistan commercial attaché in Peshawar Fawad Arashand Deputy Commercial Attaché, Hamid Fazalkhail at the chamber house here on Friday.

SCCI Senior Vice President, Shahid Hussain, Vice President Abdul Jalil Jan and others were present in the meeting. He said the mutual trade volume between Pakistan and Afghan has substantially declined due to high regulatory duties and tariff introduced by both governments which should be reviewed to give a boost to bilateral economic relations between the two neighbouring countries.

The SCCI chief called upon the Islamabad and Kabul to facilitate business community and take joint measures to an amicable resolution of issues which is hampering the mutual trade between them. He demanded the timely issuance of visas to the business community. Fawad Arash said that Afghanistan and Pakistan enjoy cordial relations due to their common religion, language, culture and traditions. However, he emphasized that the bilateral trade would be enhanced between the two neighbouring countries by the exchange of business delegation, holding joint exhibitions and bringing easiness in their policies.

The Afghan diplomat called for joint efforts to remove the mistrust and resolution of all outstanding issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Maqsood Pervaiz said the SCCI has initiated efforts for establishment of the joint chamber between Peshawar and Jalalabad, which would help pivotal role in enhancing the bilateral trade between the two neighbouring countries. Fawad Arash has agreed to the recommendations of the SCCI president regarding strengthening the mutual trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz assured the SCCI would extend full cooperation and support to increase the bilateral trade.