Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Ch. Muhammad Shafiq has said that a strong, developed and peaceful Afghanistan is essential for peace and economic development in Pakistan and the entire region. He said that there are strong religious, cultural and social relations between the people of the two countries and these bilateral ties will be further strengthened through trade and investment.
He was addressing a 30-member delegation of Afghan Chamber of Commerce led by Deputy CO Afghanistan Investment Support Agency Asia, Muhammad Ibrahim Shams, which is on a visit to Lahore. Members of Chamber of Commerce of Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta as well as senior officers of Board of Investment and Trade were also present on the occasion.
Ch. Muhammad Shafiq said that there are vast opportunities of investment and trade in Pakistan especially in Punjab and the provincial government is providing maximum facilities to foreign investors and traders. He said that Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif wants Punjab to join the ranks of developed areas of the world adding that he, along with his team, is making all out efforts for the purpose.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, all industrial estates of Punjab are being upgraded while an economic zone is also being set up besides latest industrial estate in Sheikhupura spread over 1500 acres.
Ch. Muhammad Shafiq further said that in order to increase the volume of investment and trade with Afghanistan, it is necessary to bring changes in tax system, improve security as well as simplify the process of visa for the traders and investors of both the countries. He said that besides China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a number of agreements have been signed with Turkey in different sectors which are resulting in development in the country and strengthening of economic relations with China and Turkey.
He said that Afghanistan is facing a number of problems in transit trade and there is a need for immediate resolution so that trade between both the countries could continue smoothly.