MoIC working hard to resolve trade issues with Pakistan: Officials

The Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce on Wednesday said concerted efforts are being made to remove “all barriers” around trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan and that hopefully Afghan exports to Pakistan will double next year.

“The Ministry of Industry and Commerce under the leadership of Minister Nisar Ahmad Ghoryani is making all its efforts to remove all barriers in the way of the private sector in trade and commerce with Pakistan,” Fawad Ahmadi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, said, according to the News International.

“Twenty one issues that were raised by the private sector about trade with Pakistan have been removed,” he said.
Ministry officials also said an Afghan delegation will soon visit Pakistan to discuss further enhancement of trade ties.

Naqibullah Safai, the head of Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries said that during their recent meetings, the two countries agreed to resolve trade issues and work together to enhance opportunities.

The volume of trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan has slumped to less than $1 billion from $3 billion in the past year but Afghan officials said they hope Afghanistan’s exports to Pakistan will increase by $400 million next year.