The 8th meeting of Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) would be held in October in Islamabad. Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Afghan counterpart Omar Zakhilwal would lead the respective delegations in the two day JEC talks expected on the 12th-13th of next month. The delegations of the two countries would discuss in detail trade, economic coordination, Pakistan’s assistance for reconstruction in Afghanistan, and cooperation between the businessmen of the two countries.
The meeting discussed various aspects of Afghan Transit Trade Agreement, including mutual transit facilities to both the countries and making arrangements for expediting the carriage of goods in shortest possible time and removing hurdles in the smooth flow of trade and services. Both sides will review the implementation of decisions of the last session of JEC held in 2008 in Kabul. Moreover, the two neighbouring countries while reviewing the bilateral trade would discuss about matters related to the review of trade volume, measures to enhance bilateral trade, problems and issues related to the private sectors /traders of both countries and free trade zones on Pak-Afghan border.
As regards to the transit trade facilitation review of current status of implementation of Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement, signed in October, 2010 shall also take place. It is also pertinent to mention here that Pakistan has already given the relaxation to the Afghan side for the transit of its goods from Pakistan.
