While addressing the launching ceremony of “4^th Made in Pakistan Exhibition in Kabul” by Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Zubair Motiwala, Founder Chairman PAJCCI and the Guest of Honor, greatly welcomed announcement made by Afghanistan Government to grant one-year multiple visas to the Pakistani businessmen. He elaborated that it has always been a high priority item for PAJCCI and the same was raised during the 10^th JEC meeting held in November this year. Motiwala emphasized that it was a long awaited reform and this initiative will significantly strengthen the Trade and Bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Zubair Motiwala acknowledged initiatives of RCCI and commended their specialization of conducting exhibitions across the world, especially by establishing the brand Pakistan keenly and assured support from PAJCCI towards all their efforts.  He iterated that all chambers should support these initiatives, especially as Afghanistan is still a virgin market for Pakistani products. He insisted that businesses should visit Afghanistan and also help rejuvenate the trust deficit, especially in the youth of Afghanistan towards Pakistan.

Giving his views on Afghanistan, he said that Pakistan has porous border with Afghanistan, share same culture, religion and ultimately similar challenges. Both nations should supplement each other to help enhance regional integration. Currently official trade with Afghanistan is $2.5bn whereas parallel trade also equates the same, however, the potential is of more than $10bn if policies are made according to the needs of both the countries. He urged Chief Guest S. M. Munir, Chief Executive, TDAP to facilitate exhibitions, conferences and delegations as part of confidence building measure through which parallel trade can be transformed into mainstream trade.

He emphasized upon PAJCCI’s critical role in strengthening the ties between the two countries in a short span of time.  It has helped resolve several chronic issues that were pending since a decade. He reinforced that fiscal reforms and tariff rationalization is the dire need and establishment of Export Houses between the countries for the business and trading community under PAJCCI’s umbrella with due support from the Governments on both the sides would eliminate issues related to quality specifications, trust deficit, insurance and payment matters and will build the confidence amongst each other. Motiwala also informed that PAJCCI will be holding its Annual Conference and B2B meetings in Kabul in first half of January 216 followed by an investment conference in Dubai to tap business expatriates of both Pakistan and Afghanistan residing in Dubai in the first quarter of 2016.