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ACCI-KCCI INK MOU FOR ESTABLISHING
PAK-AFGHAN JOINT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
A meeting between the high officials of Afghanistan Chamber of
Commerce & Industry (ACCI) and Karachi Chamber of Commerce &
Industry (KCCI), regarding establishment of Pak-Afghan Joint
Chamber of Commerce & Industry, was held at KCCI, for
deliberation on the organization of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber,
its operational plan of activities and formation of Executive
Committee and General Assembly.
In the 1st meeting of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of
Commerce & Industry, held at KCCI- Karachi, the a renewed
Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Vice Chairman of
Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Khan Jan
Alokozay and President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry,
Mr. Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad, on Wednesday, February 3, 2010.
Other counter-signatories of the renewed MoU are President of
Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Riaz Arshad and President
of Chaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Haji Kamaluddin Kakar.
The President-KCCI and Vice Chairman-ACCI jointly stated that
they are optimistic that Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce &
Industry, comprising of representatives of leading chambers of
both countries
will make deliberations for mutual interest of
Pakistan and
Afghanistan. Director Public
Relations
Afghanistan
Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Rohullah Ahmadzai, Former
Presidents-KCCI, Anjum Nisar, A.Q. Khalil, Senior Vice President,
Rasheeduddin Rashid and Vice President, Javed Ahmed Vohra also
participated in the meeting. |
.JPG) |
The
renewed MoU as subsequent to the Memorandum of Understanding of 21st
December, 2009 for establishing Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce
& Industry focus on bringing the business representatives of both
countries close-together on a private initiative. The Pak-Afghan
Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PAJCCI) will provide a forum
for more systematic business promotional activities in bilateral
trade, investment, technology transfer, services, promotion of joint
ventures in industrial sectors. The PAJCCI will be the regular and
recognized platform for discussion on promotion of bilateral trade
and allied activities between the industrial and business entities
of both countries. The MoU also highlights that PAJCCI’s Executive
Committee and General Assembly meetings will be organized in Afghanistan and Pakistan alternatively and
consultation with the ACCI & KCCI. The Executive Committee and
General Assemblies of either side shall be composed of private
sector businesspersons to be nominated by ACCI & KCCI as defined in
the bylaws being jointly compiled.
The
idea for establishment of Pak-Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce &
Industry was evolved after deliberation and meetings of business
persons from both countries in Kabul and
Islamabad. Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, for
revision of Afghan Transit Trade Agreement and other matters of
bilateral trade and relationship, represented as former
President-KCCI, in the meetings held between private sectors of both
countries, during the 5th round of Afghanistan Pakistan
Negotiations at Islamabad from December
19~21, 2009. An understanding was developed to form
Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry to address
and resolve the issues of informal trade. According to Memorandum of
Understanding signed, it was agreed and decided to form Joint
Chamber wherein the nominees will be appointed from Pakistan side
viz. Karachi, Quetta, Sarhad and Chaman Chambers, whereas from
Afghanistan side viz. Kabul, Kandhar, Jalalabad, Herat, Mazar and
Kahost Chambers. Counterparts from both countries also presented
their lists of sensitive items of illicit trade that require
immediate attention. Representatives from both sides also agreed to
expedite formation of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber on most urgent
basis, and Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan as well as Afghanistan. On recommendation of
Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, it was also agreed that KCCI’s premises
and secretariat will be offered to execute the housing and
functioning of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber, till a proper place and
secretariat for the said Chamber is established. It is pertinent to
mention here that Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce of
commerce has already endorsed the formation of Pak-Afghan Joint
Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Chairman, Businessmen Group & former President-KCCI, Siraj Kassam
Teli, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Abdul Majid
Haji Muhammad, Vice
Chairmen & former Presidents-KCCI, Tahir Khaliq, Zubair Motiwala,
Haroon Farooki and Anjum Nisar, Senior Vice President, Rasheeduddin
Rashid, Vice President, Javed Ahmed Vohra and Managing Committee
Members of KCCI, welcomed the establishing of Pak-Afghan Joint
Chamber of Commerce & Industry and were optimistic that it would be
prove as a productive forum to enhance bilateral trade and
relationship. They also appreciated the support of the governments,
especially, of Shahid Bashir, Senior Joint Secretary, Syed Irtiqa
Ahmed Zaidi, Project Director, Trade & Transport Facilitation
Project, Ministry of Commerce-Pakistan and Adib Farhadi, Deputy
Minister Commerce-Afghanistan.
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