DUSHANBE, August 8, 2008, Asia-Plus — Speaking to reporters in Dushanbe on August 8, Pakistani Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mr. Khalid Usman Kasir, also expressed view on state and prospects of expansion of trade cooperation between the two countries, noting that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Tajikistan currently does not correspondent to its real potential.
According to him, the rate of growth and the volume of trade between the two countries is unsatisfactory and there is considerable room for expansion of Pakistani-Tajik economic ties.
“According to official statistics, Tajikistan’s exports to Pakistan over the first six months of this year have been estimated at some US$7 million (mainly products of chemical industry) and Tajikistan’s imports from Pakistan over the same six-month period have amounted to US$200,000 (mainly building materials),” Ambassador Kasir said, adding that the figures do not include goods and raw materials that come to the countries’ markets via third countries.
Mr. Kasir also noted that direct air links between Dushanbe and Islamabad would promote expansion of economic and trade ties between the countries. He noted that he will take efforts to promote opening of the direct air communication between Dushanbe and Islamabad in the near future.
