DUSHANBE, July 27, 2009, Asia-Plus — To expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation Tajik and Pakistani business communities have agreed to establish Joint Business Forum, according to Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI).
Such an agreement has been reached during the third session of Tajik-Pakistani joint commission in Islamabad. The sides also agreed to hold an exhibition of Pakistani goods in Dushanbe in the first half-year of 2010, the CCI press service said.
The third session of Tajik-Pakistani joint economic commission, co-chaired by Pakistani Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf and Tajik Minister of Energy and Industries Gul Sherali, was held in Islamabad on July 21.
Pakistan Observer
reported on July 21 that in his opening address, Mr. Ashraf said that Pakistan attaches great importance to Preferential Trade Agreement and stressed the need for its early finalization as it will help to boost trade ties between the two countries. To meet the gap between demand and supply in its domestic market, Pakistan is keenly interested in import of hydroelectricity from Tajikistan. The four Governments and representatives of the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank reiterated their support for CASA-1000. He said that strong commitment and a timetable for implementation is needed from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for the CASA-1000 Project. He offered the services of the companies of State Engineering Corporation (SEC) and said that it has adequate potential to manufacture and supply engineering goods to Tajikistan as per international quality and standards. Moreover, SEC can play an important role in the development of infra-structure of Tajikistan, especially in the fields of electricity, transmission, and distribution and construction industry. The Minister also said that there is need for a fresh air service agreement to allow the commercial operators to commence operations.
According to him, the trade between the two countries during the last few years has been negligible due to non availability of road links with Tajikistan. Pakistan and Tajikistan will have to develop and operationalize a good connecting road and rail network. “We would welcome Tajikistan to join the Quadrilateral Agreement on Trade in Transit. The ports of Pakistan are ideally suited for Tajikistan’s trade with South Asia and the regions beyond,” said Pakistani minister, “These ports offer Tajikistan the shortest land route to the Sea. Similarly finalization of bilateral agreement on International Transport of Passengers and Goods by Road, for transit to other countries would facilitate our trading community to access markets in the region and beyond.”
For his part, Mr. Gul Sherali said that both countries should expand their economic cooperation and enhance bilateral trade. He said that JEC would further strengthen our ties and will open new venues of cooperation.
The joint economic commission brainstormed on the issues relating to trade, economic cooperation, scientific and technical cooperation and other fields. Both sides agreed to sign the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) 2009. According to Pakistani media, Tajikistan offered warehouse facility to Pakistan at Nizhny Panj and requested for a reciprocal facility for Tajik business community at Gwadar Port. Both sides agreed for a speedy implementation of the Electricity transmission line between Tajikistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan- Central Asian Sharing Aid (CASA 1000).
The commission concluded on Tuesday and on July 22, the sides signed a number of agreements to increase bilateral trade including establishment of Joint Business Forum between the business communities of both countries.
