Connect with us

Business

Qureshi calls for early conclusion of Pak-Afghan talks on trade agreement

Published

on

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi emphasised the need for talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan regarding Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) to be wrapped up as soon as possible.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Qureshi stated this during his telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart Haneef Atmar on Friday.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the two ministers exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, including Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations and the latest status of Afghan peace process.

“Reiterating Pakistan’s consistent support to the Afghan peace process, the Foreign Minister underlined that the Intra-Afghan Negotiations provided historic opportunity to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan.

“The Foreign Minister urged Afghan parties to work constructively for the shared objective of a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. He underscored the need to remain cognizant of the challenges and impediments on the way, which could be overcome through patience, perseverance and persistence,” the statement read.

Qureshi also reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to facilitate all efforts for a negotiated political settlement and in this context also underlined the importance of exercising vigilance against the role of “spoilers,” read the statement.

In the bilateral context, the Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to forge closer cooperation with Afghanistan in all fields and underlined the importance of APAPPS as a vital platform to carry forward the bilateral cooperation on key tracks.

“The Foreign Minister also emphasized the need for early conclusion of talks relating to the APTTA (Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreemet.)

During the telephonic call, it added that views were exchanged on matters of mutual interest, including Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations and latest status of Afghan peace process.

He underlined the importance of APAPPS as a vital platform to carry forward the bilateral cooperation on key tracks. The foreign minister also emphasized the need for early conclusion of talks relating to the APTTA (Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (.

Business

Shoemaking industry in Takhar province facing stagnation

Published

on

A number of shoemakers in northern Takhar province say that while their handmade shoes are of better quality than imported shoes, but still sales are down.

According to them, there were more than 20 shoe-making shops in the past, but now some have been closed due to the decline in sales.

The shoemakers make most of their shoes from leather. A number of industrialists say that this industry is now facing stagnation.

Abdul Raqib, a shoemaking factor owner, said: “The government should support us. Currently, we import soles. It can be made with good quality in Afghanistan, and we could even compete against Turkish shoes.”

Meraj, another shoemaking factory owner, said: “Shoe sales were higher in the republic era. There were military shoes. Sales have declined now, but we still thank Allah.”

Shoemakers make these shoes with basic tools and by hand, with 5 to 8 people working in each shop.

Javed, a shoemaker, said: “Our sales are not so good. We can make any type of shoe or slipper. We want the government to support us.”

A number of Takhar residents say that domestically produced shoes are of high quality and with lower price compared to imported shoes, so people prefer domestic products to foreign products.

Mir Ata, a resident of Takhar, said: “We are very happy about domestic shoes. People should buy it. They are of good quality.”

However, the officials of Takhar Industry and Commerce Department say that they are committed to support the industrialists.

Abdul Rahman Ghaznawi, provincial director of industry and commerce, said: “People prefer domestic shoes and slippers. Takhar’s products are sold in Kunduz, Baghlan and Badakhshan as well.”

Meanwhile, industrialists say that if the government supports them, they will be able to make the best products and can be more competitive.

Continue Reading

Business

Daily truck clearances at Torkham drop from 400-500 to 5-10

Published

on

Pakistan’s Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has said that daily truck clearances at Torkham crossing have declined from 400-500 to 5-10.

SCCI President Fazal Muqeem Khan said this at the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote bilateral trade and cooperation.

He said the volume of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan had fallen from $3 billion to $1 billion annually.

Fazal Muqeem also highlighted the adverse impact of the 2% Infrastructure Development Cess (IDC) imposed by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government on trade and transit.

Continue Reading

Business

Turkish scholars, charity officials assess investment prospects in Afghanistan

Officials pledged to encourage Turkish investors to explore and capitalize on investment opportunities in Afghanistan

Published

on

Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Energy and Water, Mullah Abdul Latif Mansoor, met with a delegation of Turkish scholars and officials from the Adif Charity Foundation on Tuesday to discuss various political, religious, and social issues.

According to the Ministry of Energy and Water, Mullah Mansoor praised Adif’s humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan and highlighted the country’s ample resources for energy production.

He emphasized that Afghanistan currently offers a favorable environment for investment in all sectors, assuring the Turkish delegation of the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of investors and their assets.

In response, Adif officials pledged to encourage Turkish investors to explore and capitalize on investment opportunities in Afghanistan, signaling a potential boost in economic and developmental cooperation between the two nations.

 

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Ariana News. All rights reserved!