PAJCCI kicks off the 10th Focus Group Discussion in Islamabad. Afghan delegation led by Khan Jan Alokozai; Co-Chairman PAJCCI, will arrive in Islamabad today, and for the first time after a new government in Afghanistan, Afghan businesswomen & members of AWCCI are also participating, fulfilling PAJCCI’s commitment to engage & provide a platform to women in business on both sides.
PAJCCI has been conducting several meetings in big cities and at border crossings like Chaman, Torkham and cities like Swat & Gawadar to engage the diverse business community and invite Afghan delegations at border crossings to promote joint deliberations and relationship building.
The 10th Focus Group Discussion forum will deliberate on current issues and opportunities entailing bilateral transit and possible solutions to remove barriers to trade with Afghanistan and CAR.
Zubair Motiwala, Chairman of PAJCCI, expressed his pleasure at the arrival of the Afghan delegation, especially in current difficult times, along with businesswomen. He hoped the 10th FGD would bring practical solutions to remove temporary and long-term trade barriers. He said that the top priority is to increase trade with Afghanistan as both countries have products required by each other, available cheaply as compared to far-flung lands, products can be brought efficiently, and by using effective clearance & transportation methods, the cost of business can be reduced greatly. Another important item is to increase products in the local currency trading list, abolish of negative list and remove regulatory barriers like E-Form, EIF, cash counters at borders, legitimate alternates to banking channels, sales tax and duty drawback refund claim restrictions, infrastructure on both sides & increasing capacity and capability of Afghan government functionaries by arranging capacity building training.
He urged stakeholders to contribute in any manner they can to reduce the suffering of flood victims on both sides of the borders as PAK-AFG both are currently facing severe devastation, and land route trade has suffered huge losses. Both countries must work together to manage food scarcity after a flood.
PAJCCI strongly believes that governments alone cannot resolve issues; private stakeholders are key to uplifting the economy of both countries and must take steps to establish long-term B2B economic relationships.
