PESHAWAR: The business community on Friday declared higher regulatory duties, delay in the issuance of visas and lack of facilities on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border the major hurdle to the promotion of bilateral trade and urged Islamabad and Kabul to remove their trust deficit to increase trade.
Representatives of the business community met a delegation of Afghan consulate in Peshawar at the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Friday.
Besides leading businessmen, SCCI senior vice-president Shahid Hussain, vice-president Abdul Jalil Jan and other office-bearers were also present in the meeting.
Afghan commercial attaché in Peshawar Fawad Arsh and deputy commercial attaché Dr Hameed Fazilkhel stressed the need for strengthening regional economy through better Afghan-Pak trade activities.
Mr Arash said Afghanistan and Pakistan enjoyed cordial relations due to common religion, language, culture and traditions.
SCCI asks Kabul, Islamabad to remove trust deficit
He said the two countries should strengthen trade and economic relations by exchanging business delegations, holding joint trade exhibitions and introducing business-friendly policies.
The diplomat called for joint efforts to end Pak-Afghan mistrust and resolve bilateral issues.
SCCI president Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz said there was a need for the removal of hurdles to Pak-Afghan trade.
He said both countries were important for each other, so they should take practical steps for better cooperation and support in different fields.
Mr Pervaiz demanded of Islamabad and Kabul to provide facilities to businesspersons.
He blamed the declining business activities between the two countries on increase in regulatory duties and tariffs, delay in the issuance of visas and lack of facilities on both sides of the border.
The SCCI president demanded speedy issuance of visas by Pakistan and Afghanistan to businesspersons for smooth exports and imports.
He said the chamber had initiated efforts for the establishment of a joint chamber between Peshawar and Jalalabad to help increase bilateral trade.
Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2019
