Preparations made for next meeting on November 23
A high level meeting chaired by Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar reviewed implementation status of decisions taken at Pak-Afghan Joint Economic Commission meeting last year.
The meeting was held as part of preparations for the next Pak-Afghan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting scheduled to be held in Islamabad on November 23 and 24.
The meeting was given a detailed presentation by Economic Affairs Division secretary on important bilateral matters involving the departments of Commerce, FBR, Planning and Development, Communications, Housing &Works, Inter Provincial Coordination, Railways, Petroleum and Natural Resources. Matters pertaining to Ministry of Water and Power, Ministry of Ports & Shipping and National Food Security were also discussed.
Important items that would come up for discussion at the JEC include trade facilitation, motorways, highways and railways projects, Scholarship Scheme for Afghan Students as well as potential joint ventures in various other sectors.
Enhancement of bilateral trade and economic cooperation would be the main focus of the Pak-Afghan JEC being held in about a week’s time.
The finance minister directed ministries and departments concerned to conclude the preparatory work on priority.
He said that Pakistan attached due importance to fortifying relations with the brotherly country Afghanistan, particularly bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
He added that the upcoming JEC would help in achieving progress to this end.