Joint Afghan-Pak trade fair begins in Kabul

KABUL trade fair got underway in the capital Kabul on Thursday, a show aimed at sharing experiences and improving bilateral business ties, organisers said.

Afghan traders put on display dried fruits, carpets and precious stones while the Pakistani businessmen showcased food items, construction materials, fresh fruits and dried fruits.

Sadruddin Sahar, deputy minister of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), while speaking at the inauguration ceremony said Afghanistan had vast mines reservoirs for investment and great trade related opportunities.

“Afghanistan is a good place for investments but some problems create obstacles in some areas,” he remarked.

He said problems that were hampering the development sector included rampant poverty, insecurity, and the country was a landlocked.

The aim of the trade fair, he said was cementing business relations between Afghan and Pakistani traders and sharing one another experiences.

Pakistan ambassador in Kabul, Mohammad Sadiq Khan during the ceremony said: “We should ignore politics and security situation and we should cooperate with one another to promote business ties.”

It was a matter of great pleasure that Afghanistan and Pakistan were jointly working, Khan said, adding he wished such exhibition should be held in other Asian countries. “I wish good business relationships with Afghanistan,” he noted.

Earlier on Wednesday, deputy minister of ACCI said holding such joint trade fairs would bolster trade ties between the two countries.

Saffron was also put on display during the trade fair.

A representative of Benazir Afghan Company, Emal told Pajhwok Afghan News: “Our company has put on display tens of saffron bottles which is locally produced.”

The Benazir Afghan Company producing saffron since three years in Afghanistan and had taken part in many national and international trade fairs, he added.

Mohammad Kabeer, owner of a dried fruit company— Khalid Khyber Company— said he put four different raisins on display including Kandahari, Sangcharaki, Shah Josh and Shamali.

He said if ACCI continued holding such trade activities in Afghanistan and foreign countries then it would help enhanced the country’s economic situation.

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