Afghanistan and Pakistan reach new agreement to facilitate trade

KABUL (TOLO News): The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has spoken about efforts to overcome the challenges faced by the country’s traders with Pakistan.

Nooruddin Azizi, the acting minister, has stated that an agreement has been reached with Pakistan to ensure normal movement of vehicles and trade with the country in the current solar year.

Most of Afghanistan’s trade goods are exported to Pakistan. According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Afghanistan exports worth nearly one billion US dollars annually to Pakistan.

Nooruddin Azizi said, “The only point that was complicated last year was the closure of the Torkham crossing and some other ports, but today, God willing, we have reached an agreement that for one more year, the movement of trucks will be normal.”

Azizi added that agreements have also been made for the export of 150,000 tons of steel rods and 100,000 cubic meters of marble to Turkmenistan, which are expected to be exported to this country in the near future.

However, the Chamber of Commerce and Investment has stated that to prevent damage to the private sector, it is necessary for both countries to respect the trade agreements that have been made between the two sides.

Mohammad Younus Mohmand, the first deputy of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said, “Based on the contracts made with the Pakistani government, they should not damage our goods, nor should we, but Pakistan has done so, which has almost reduced our transit with Pakistan by 80 percent.”

Zalmay Azimi, a trader, told TOLOnews, “On the Pakistani side, there are guarantees for the bank that have been imposed or they are taking 10 percent tax, and we are solving the problems that exist at the ports, but Pakistan is not standing by its word.”

The blocking of Pakistani passages to Afghan cargo vehicles for several days and the halt of more than 4,000 containers of Afghan traders’ goods at the Karachi port were among the main challenges faced by traders in 1402 with Pakistan, causing significant financial losses to the country’s traders.