UNAMA shares Afghan business leaders’ concerns with Pakistan

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Deputy Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Georgette Gagnon has held a meeting with businessmen in eastern Nangarhar province to address their problems, a statement said on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Nangarhar businessmen from Nangarhar shared the trade and commerce-related problems they have with Pakistan, a statement from the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Investment (NCCI).

Nangarhar businessmen discussed the problems and challenges of trade with Pakistan and shared their problems.

Gulmurad Arab, one of the businessmen, said that trade and politics should be separated and pressure should be put on Pakistan to refrain from creating problems for businessmen.

CCI Member Zalmai Azimi said halting Afghan goods in Karachi, imposing new rules and tariffs, the blockade of Torkham crossing during the fruit and vegetable season and creating various obstacles along the way are the major challenges that Afghan businessmen are facing.

UNAMA Deputy Head Georgette Gagnon said the purpose of this meeting was to hear about Afghan businessmen’s problems they have with Pakistan and sharing of these problems with Pakistani authorities.

She said that she was fully aware of the problems happening in Torkham and said all these issues would be shared with Pakistan.

UNAMA on its Twitter handle wrote: “UNAMA deputy Georgette Gagnon visited #Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, meeting de facto authorities, business leaders, women & community leaders on political, security, & socio-economic situation, and heard of needed assistance for border region.”

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