KP businessmen seek FTA with Afghanistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa businesspeople have suggested the signing of a Pak-Afghan Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The suggestion came at a meeting of the business community regarding Pak-Afghan bilateral trade at the Customs House in Peshawar on Tuesday.

Participants stressed the need for taking export-friendly measures to bring back the transit trade goods that have shifted to the Iranian port of Chabahar.

Now is time had for the Pakistan and extend more facilities those associated with transit trade.

In response to the demand, Customs Collector Mohammad Saleem said the federal government had abolished the customs duty on the import of fresh and dry fruits from Afghanistan.

But in name of Afghan food items, fruits from other neighbouring countries were being imported, he alleged, hinting at a flag-staff meeting with Afghan customs officials on prevention of fake documentation.

Mohammad Fawad Adarsh, commercial attaché at the Afghan Consulate in Peshawar, proposed the customs duty be kept at the minimum level to promote bilateral trade.

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