Afghan MPS demand effective ATTA implementation

LAHORE – Afghan parliamentarians have encouraged the Pakistan business community to consider sizeable investment in the reconstruction phase of Afghanistan and have sought technical assistance in the mutually interested areas to deepen further economic cooperation.
A 30-member group of Afghan Parliamentarians led by Syed Ishaq Jilani was invited at an exclusive dinner meeting hosted by SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik.
Engineer Abdul Ghaffar, member of Afghanistan Parliamentarian said that Pakistan has always helped Afghanistan in its hour of need particularly shelter to Afghans displaced by conflict and drew attention towards the fact that Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) would help further promoting economic cooperation between two countries.
While responding to his address, CACCI Vice President Tariq Sayeed said that the private sector of Pakistan would request the government of Pakistan to implement APTTA in true spirit. He said that the Agreement will help channelise legal trade and expand scope of economic cooperation. He also requested the leadership of Afghanistan to integrate Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a member of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik said that Afghanistan has unique topography and has been serving as one of the oldest trade route connecting Central Asian with Persia and Central Asia. Both countries have been enjoying amicable relations and stand firm in time of need. He further said that the accession of Afghanistan to SAARC will help economic development of Afghanistan.
Ms Hellay Arshad, member of Parliamentarian group from Afghanistan, whose birthday was also celebrated on the occasion, thanked the business community of Pakistan and SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry for creating this opportunity. Senator Ghulam Ali, President FPCCI in his remarks asserted the need for enhancing bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and requested the Government of Afghanistan to involve Pakistani enterprise in the reconstruction phase of Afghanistan.
Bilateral trade between two counties was estimated at $1.3 billion and trade balance is in favour of Pakistan by $1.2 billion. Senator Saleem Saifullah also spoke on the occasion. The dinner was attended by more than 50 prominent business leaders from Pakistan and government officials.