ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan have signed agreed minutes of bilateral trade meeting held on Tuesday, expressing the desire to enhance business ties by overcoming existing challenges through frequent interaction and extended facilitation.

Secretary Commerce Mohammad Younus Dagha and Afghanistan Deputy Minister for Industries and Commerce Kamila Sidiqi signed the documents, said a press release issued on Thursday.

Minister for Commerce Mohammad Pervaiz Malik, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal, officials of the Ministry of Commerce and Textiles, members of the Afghan ministerial delegation, and embassy officials were also present.

The Afghan ministerial delegation, which arrived in Islamabad on May 7, had been holding policy and expert level talks with Pakistani counterparts for improvement of bilateral trade relations.The announcement by the prime minister during his recent visit to Afghanistan regarding removal of regulatory duties on import of Afghan products was also discussed.

The Afghanistan side had requested for removal of regulatory duties from fresh fruits, vegetables, dry fruits and other goods.

The Ministry of Commerce assured to accommodate the Afghan request to all possible extent. In addition it was also agreed to facilitate Afghan cotton exports to Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2018