ISLAMABAD   -   Pakistan and Afghanistan on Thursday have signed the protocol for six-month extension of Afghanistan–Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement 2010 (APTTA).

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce & Investment Abdul Razak Dawood, and Minister of Industry & Commerce of Afghanistan, Nisar Ahmad Ghoriyani  signed the protocol for six-month extension of APTTA. The signing ceremony was held over video-link on Thursday simultaneously at Kabul and Islamabad. The Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, was also present on occasion. Representatives of both embassies in respective capitals also attended the event.

Speaking on occasion, Dawood said that his vision for trade and economic relations with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs) makes Pakistan a hub for trade, transit & transshipment. “Our trade must be based on secure, open, consistent, reliable & legal movement of goods at the Afghan border along with enhanced connectivity with Afghanistan & CARs”, he said.

He said that this is a long-term vision and, through our current engagement with Afghanistan & Uzbekistan, we are laying down the foundation for its implementation. This will ensure that Pakistan leverages its geo-economic location in the region to enhance its international trade. “Our discussions with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan are a step in this direction,” he said. Both sides expressed satisfaction with an extension of the agreement and decided that the technical teams of the two countries will conclude the revised agreement soon.