Measures suggested improving trade with Afghanistan, Central Asia

Capacity of Afghan officials hindering trade, making exports costly

Int'l assistance to trade facilitation efforts can ensure peace, stability

 

Islamabad:  Dated: Nov 27

Chairman Founder Group Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Munawar Mughal has said that government needs to take more steps to improve trade with Afghanistan which will also boost Pakistan's share in Central Asia markets.

 

Government should launch a training programme to improve capacity of Afghan customs officials to ensure swift movement of goods to save time and costs, he said.

 

Law and order, illegal checkpoints, administrative delays, and informal payments account for almost half of transit costs, he said while speaking to exporters at ICCI.

 

Munawar Mughal said that the tyranny of weak institutions in Afghanistan is more punishing to trade than the tyranny of rocky terrain, he said. Additional investment in trade infrastructure, harmonizing customs procedures and regulatory framework can help all stakeholders, he opined.

 

Lauding the government's move to grant MFN status to India, he said that all political issues related to Afghanistan need to be resolved. He said that Afghanistan lost 6 points in Doing Business report in 2012 to bag 16oth position which is a matter of concern.  

 

Iranian transit trade has emerged as a challenge as the Afghanistan-Iran border areas are more stable than the Pak-Afghan border points, he said.

 

Munawar Mughal said that US can do more to encouraging trade and investment in Afghanistan, adding that an international resolve can result in a functional state and growing economy which will also help Pakistan, her major trading partner, he said.

 

At the occasion veteran trade leader Zafar Bakhtawari said that Afghan integration will gain from projects that link Herat to Iran, Balkh to Uzbekistan, and Kandahar to Pakistan ensuring additional revenue which currently stands at 31 per cent of the Afghan budget.

 

There is a need for frequent exhibitions in Kabul to showcase capacity of Pakistani industry related to construction, food processing, services, transport, and communication sectors, said Khalid Chaudhry.

 

Poorly designed and managed border points, long waiting times encouraging bribery, increased handling costs, risks of cargo loss and damage, restrictive practices, low vehicle standards, and lack of financial and insurance systems which are keeping Afghanistan underdeveloped should be considered seriously, exporters said.

 

--

Munawar Mughal

Chairman, Founder Group, ICCI,

Member Managing Committee, FPCCI,

Former President ICCI, Former Chairman FPCCI Capital Office,

Contacts - Off: 051-2253145 &  2250526. Mobile: 0300-5207448.


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An emergency meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet of Pakistan (DCC) was chaired by the Prime Minister this evening at the Prime Minister's House. Federal Ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs and members of the DCC attended.

The DCC strongly condemned the attack by NATO/ISAF aircrafts on Pakistani border posts in the Mohmand Agency which has resulted in the loss of precious lives of officers and men of Pakistan Army and injuries to several.

The DCC expressed heartfelt sympathies and condolences to families of the brave soldiers who fought valiantly and embraced Shahadat, and also prayed for the early recovery of those injured.

The DCC reiterated the resolve of the Pakistani people and Armed Forces to safeguard Pakistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity at all costs.

The DCC noted that strong protests had been lodged with the United States and at NATO Headquarters in Brussels conveying in the strongest possible terms Pakistan's condemnation of these attacks which constituted breach of sovereignty, were violative of international law and had gravely dented the fundamental basis of Pakistan's cooperation with NATO/ISAF against militancy and terror. NATO/ISAF attacks were also violative of their mandate which was confined to Afghanistan. Pakistan had clearly conveyed to US/NATO/ISAF its red lines which constituted an integral element of Pakistan's cooperation that was based on a partnership approach. The attack on Pakistan Army border posts is totally unacceptable and warrants an effective national response.

In accordance with the resolution of the Joint Session of the Parliament of 14 May 2011, the DCC decided to close with immediate effect the NATO/ISAF logistics supply lines.

The DCC also decided to ask the US to vacate the Shamsi Airbase within 15 days.

The DCC decided that the Government will revisit and undertake a complete review of all programmes, activities and cooperative arrangements with US/NATO/ISAF, including diplomatic, political, military and intelligence.

The Prime Minister will take the Parliament into confidence on the whole range of measures regarding matters relating to Pakistan's future cooperation with US/NATO/ISAF, in the near future.

Islamabad,
26 November 2011.

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MEDIA ADVISORY

 

UNDP Pakistan cordially invites you to the launch of the Human Development Report 2011

 

Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All

 

On: Tuesday, 29th November 2011

Venue: Sheesh Mahal II, Serena Hotel, Islamabad    

Time: 11:00 am -12:30 pm

 

11:00 am                             Recitation of the Holy Quran

 

11:05 am                             Welcome Remarks by Mr. Timo Pakkala, Resident Representative, UNDP 

 

11:10 pm                            Highlights from the Human Development Report, Mr. Toshihiro Tanaka, Country Director, UNDP

 

11:25 pm                            Remarks by Mr Nadeemul Haq, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission

 

11: 40 am                            Discussion by panelists:

                                              Ms. Bushra Gohar, Member National Assembly

                                              Mr. Adil Najam, Vice Chancellor, Lahore University of Management Sciences

                                              Mr. Amin Aslam, Former Minister of State for Environment, Government of Pakistan

 

12: 20 pm                           Question and Answer Session

 

12: 35 pm                           Concluding remarks

 

Refreshments

 

 

 

 

 

 

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