Pakistan, Afghanistan sign extending APTTA

Razak outlined the government’s vision for trade with Afghanistan and the Central Asian republic

Pakistan and Afghanistan Thursday signed a three-month extension protocol to the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement 2010 (APTTA).

Minister for Trade and Investment Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood and Minister for Industry and Trade Mr. Nisar AhmadGhoriyani, have signed a three-month extension protocol to the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement 2010 (APTTA).

The signing ceremony was held simultaneously on April 1, 2021, in Kabul and Islamabad via video link. The Secretary, Ministry of Commerce was also present on the occasion. Representatives of both embassies in their respective capitals also attended the event.

https://newztodays.com/pakistan-blames-afghanistan-for-causing-hurdles-in-fully-implementing-transit-trade-deal/

On the occasion, Mr. Dawood shared his views on free trade and economic relations with Afghanistan and the Central Asian Republic (CAR). He said that his aim was to make Pakistan a center of trade, transit, and transportation.

He emphasized the need for interaction with Afghanistan and CARs, as well as the safe, open, sustainable, reliable, and legal movement of goods across the Afghan border.

“This is a long-term vision, and through our current engagements with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, we are laying the groundwork for its implementation,” he said. He said he would ensure Pakistan’s geo-economic opportunity in the region to boost its international trade. “Our dialogue with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan is a step in that direction,” he said.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over the extension of the agreement and decided that the technical teams of the two countries would soon finalize the revised agreement.