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AJCCI demands facilitation to Pak Afghan bilateral trade

Lahore:Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) held its 15th stakeholders meeting in Lahore to further the cause of trade and economy as well as to include all stakeholders playing critical role in trade with Afghanistan.

According to a press release issued on Friday, Waqas Mughal, Member Executive Committee and Convener Export Development Committee of Pakistan Coating Association, shared the obstacles and opportunities in PAK-Afghan trade. He remarked that major issues are related to payments, restrictions in barter trade and reluctance of banking in case of third-party payments, cash on counter facility and trading in PKR.

He stated that bilateral business with Afghanistan had faced major dent due to abrupt policy changes without providing apt mechanism for conducting transactions.

PAJCCI delegation was led by Directors Ajmal Safi and Sultan Muhammad Safi, who informed the house about continuous efforts of PAJCCI and its Chairman, Zubair Motiwala and Co-Chairman, Khan Jan Alokozai who has not only provided insights to the government officials but have taken the concerns of business community to the level of respective premiers.

PAJCCI Directors informed the house of Chairman’s recent meeting with Mr. Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Advisor to PM for Commerce and Industry to raise business community concerns and provided practical solutions to the core issues of trading in PKR, barter trade mechanism, congestion at borders, withdrawal of COC facility, addition of poultry, meat, pharmaceutical and rice in PKR trading category, setting up of banking counters at border, acceptance of third party payment, free movement of goods trucks in both countries.

Secretary General PAJCCI, Faiza, shared the quarterly progress report of PAJCCI in bringing genuine issues to light and facilitate solutions, coordination and communication with government institutions, Parliamentary group and related forums. She also informed the house that Ministry of Commerce has provided TOR for barter trade mechanism with Iran, which can serve as basis for PAK-AFG barter trade process, which is being deliberated by PAJCCI while engaging all relevant chambers across the border.

Waqas Mughal designated Pakistan Coating Association Lahore office as the PAJCCI Lahore office with all facilities and services. PAJCCI delegation greatly appreciated the gesture and assured that they will make very active use of this facility to increase the joint coordination between both the chambers. This facility will surely become base for long term mutually beneficial partnership.

Members urged that in current situation where banking is reluctant to facilitate transactions with Afghanistan and businesses are facing immense losses and distress leading to export loss to overall economy, the requirement of E Form and EIF for trading with Afghanistan be withdrawn without causing refund processing issues to the businesses.

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