The acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, Nooruddin Azizi, said that Kabul is in talks with the Pakistani delegation that arrived in Kabul on Monday evening to sign an agreement to facilitate trade, transit and barter trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“The barter trade, which is a serious issue for Afghan traders, cross-staffing, the trade of materials, and coal will be discussed,” he said.
The Pakistani delegation is led by Commerce Secretary Saleh Farooqui. Earlier, Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry said the delegation will discuss trade, transit and transportation with the Afghan authorities.
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said that Pakistan is trying to extend its trade with Afghanistan.
“Pakistan is trying to ramp up imports from Afghanistan. There are some technical problems in Wagah, Karachi, Ghulam Khan, Spin Boldak and Torkham which create hurdles against trade,” said Khanjan Alokozai, a member of the ACCI.
Meanwhile, the head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock (ACAL), Mirwais Hajizada, said that the Afghan traders are facing hurdles in the export of fresh fruits and vegetables to Pakistan.
“The exports stopped during the fruit season. Either their scanners are destroyed or they don’t scan it,” he said.
Based on available numbers of the ACCI, Afghanistan exports to Pakistan exceeded $300 million in 1400 (solar year).
