CPEC can multiply Pakistan-Afghanistan trade: Khyber Pakhtunkhaw CM’s aide

Peshawar: Special Assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhaw Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Commerce and Industries Abdul Karim Khan had said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) can multiply trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In a meeting with traders’ representatives at a consultative session organized by the Sarhad Chamber Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here, the CM’s aide remarked that the CPEC was a win-win for the whole region.

“The CPEC will not only enhance the regional trade but will also multiply our bilateral trade with the neighbouring countries. Our trade with Afghanistan will also multiply thanks to the CPEC,” he predicted.

Abdul Karim Khan highlighted the initiatives that had been taken by the government to increase trade with Afghanistan and Central-Asian states.

He maintained that the government was making efforts to improve border management in a bid to facilitate the business community of both the countries.

Referring to the CPEC, he mentioned that the mega project would usher the country into a new era of prosperity and development and transform Pakistan into major economic hub.

Speaking at the consultative session, the trade representatives stressed the need to take pragmatic steps to enhance trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan and eliminate the bottlenecks hampering exchange of goods and services. They listed several barriers that were hindering bilateral trade between the two sides.

They suggested that Islamabad and Kabul should make joint efforts to facilitate the business community on both sides of the border.

On the occasion, Acting SCCI President Imran Khan stated that joint initiatives, aimed at facilitating the business community, would not only boost Pakistan’s exports but also create employment opportunities.

He noted that the bilateral trade between the two countries had declined to less than US $ 500 million, which was worrisome and needed to be enhanced by removing hurdles on both sides of the border. “The trade volume between the two sides is projected to increase to $5 billion,” he added.

The acting SCCI chief pointed out that growth of mutual trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan would steer economic prosperity, sustainable development and peace in the whole region besides generating employment.

Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Programme (SEED) Team leader Umar Mukhtar Khan stressed the need for eliminating the hurdles that were obstructing trade by introducing joint initiatives at governmental level.

He held the view that it would enhance bilateral trade with Afghanistan and other regional countries.

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Director Rana Shahzad Ahmad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Transit Trade Director General Arbab Qaiser Hamid and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority official Rashid Aman were also present at the event.