Pakistan-Afghanistan future belongs with each other: PAJCCI Delegation from Kandahar resolved - Press Release issued by Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Karachi -- January 25, 2023 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI)

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PAJCCI held stakeholders meeting at Chaman Border; most active trading border in Baluchistan. The meeting was attended by large number of business community members of both sides, Government officials consisting of Shah Faisal, Additional Collector Customs. Akmal Durrani, Deputy Director, Directorate of Transit Trade Quetta, Col. Asad; General Manager NLC, Representative of National Bank, FIA, Custom Enforcement and Appraisement and PRAL.

Afghan delegation was led by Haji Abdul Ahad Siddiqui; Board Member Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was received by Muhammad Ghani; VP PAJCCI who headed the Pakistan side. Ghani informed the forum about continuous efforts of PAJCCI and its Chairman, Zubair Motiwala and Co-Chairman, Khan Jan Alokozai; and remarked this congregation as vital. He appreciated PAJCCI's initiative of conducting these sessions at border crossings to witness on the ground trading activities and issues being faced by business community.

Both sides shared the issues and potential of economic relationship between the two countries. The problems raised included high labour charges, mishandling of cargo while loading and unloading issues on Afghan Side including tax on transit goods, slow clearance rate of empty containers, lack of roads and facilities resulting in delays and damage to the products, restricted hours at Chaman border crossing for clearance and movement, delay and high rejection of visa processing for Afghan businessmen, pendency of 47000 TI forms by Afghan side since a year despite several reminders and communication.

The documentation issue and high valuation was raised on which Pakistan Customs and Kabul counterpart are in discussion. It requires to amend rules on Afghan side. Keeping the intensity of issue, PAJCCI organized a meeting with Customs authorities where Zubair Motiwala advised measures to resolve the issue. Due to this issue at least 500 trucks changed route to Bandar Abbas for transit cargo which is alarming and loss of revenue for both governments.

Afghan side informed that roads and other facilities on Afghan side are almost complete and facilities will be available in next few weeks. Businessmen on Pakistan side have already built roads and expanded gate privately last year. Participants also recommended to start air service...