PESHAWAR: The federal government and local businessmen have agreed to remove hurdles to trade with Afghanistan through a joint jirga.

An announcement in this respect was made by federal commerce and textile minister Pervaiz Malik during a gathering of the members of the local business community at the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.

The minister said the government was ready to redress grievances of businessmen of both Pakistan and Afghanistan and it would support a joint jirga as suggested by the SCCI for the purpose.

He said he was hopeful that the jirga would also help increase bilateral exports to strengthen national economy.

Minister says govt ready to review free trade accords with different countries

The minister said the government would also review the free trade agreements with different countries and would take strict decisions in this regard.

Responding to the demands made by SCCI president Zahidullah Khan Shinwari, he said the FTAs with different countries would be reviewed, while appropriate measures would be made for it.

A number of major businessmen, former SCCI office-bearers, leaders of different chambers of commerce in the province were also present on the occasion.

Referring to complaints about the quarantine certification and imposition of regulatory duty on fresh and dry fruits between Pakistan and Afghanistan, delay in transportation of export goods to Afghanistan, he said two officers each had been sent on emergency basis to Torkham and Chaman border posts for early clearance of goods loaded vehicles.

He also assured flour mill owners that the federal government would take up the matter with the Punjab government for payment of rebate over export of wheat and flour to Afghanistan.

Recounting the achievements and ‘pro-economic’ policies of his government, the minister said the centre had undertaken concrete measures for promotion of trade and commercial activities to bring economic boost in the country.

He said the country’s economy was gradually improving, while exports volume had been increased by 14 to 15 per cent.

The minister said the country’s economic growth rate had reached 5.2 reflecting the better performance of the government.

He said the business community of the province had suffered huge economic losses due to militancy and therefore, the province deserved to be provided fair opportunities for making up for those losses.

The minister said the federal government would take the business community on board before formulation of policies aimed at providing economic gains to the community of the KP province.

He also assured the SCCI members that instructions would be issued to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan to give due representation to businessmen of KP in business delegations of the country.

The minister said KP would also be given proper representation in different companies formed by the ministry of commerce and industry for promotion of commercial opportunities in the country.

Earlier, SCCI president Zahidullah Shinwari said more concessions under FTAs to different countries were causing de-industrialisation besides rapidly declining businesses in the country. He added the imports were also increasing due to the practice.

Mr Shinwari urged the minister to order for a review of the decision regarding imposition of regulatory duty on import of different items.

He said the imposition of regulatory duty had badly affected business with Afghanistan which had reduced it to $500 million from $2.5 billion.

The SCCI president said the duty must be imposed on non-essential and luxury items but the essential items like fresh, dry fruits, vegetable and other items should be exempted.

He also suggested federal government to opt for trade diplomacy with Afghanistan by sending a delegation of businessmen to Afghanistan to talk with concerned officials for restoration of business with our neighbouring country.

The SCCI president demanded economic concession package for KP for allowing the businessmen to overcome the economic losses they faced because of the menace of terrorism.

He called for the diversification of items to which government gives priority while formulating trade policy of the country. He said apart from textile, surgical instruments, rice and others, government should find new items for giving them priority for increasing country’s export.

He also gave suggestions to help improve the country’s revenue.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2018