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PR-/80
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. 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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