ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Minister for Finance Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Monday said Pakistan attached due importance to fortifying relations with the brotherly country Afghanistan, particularly bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
He expressed these views while chairing a high level meeting here to review implementation status of decisions taken at the last Pak-Afghan Joint Economic Commission meeting last year.
The meeting was held as part of preparations for the next Pak-Afghan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting scheduled to be held here on November 23-24.
The meeting was given a detailed presentation by Secretary Economic Affairs Division on important bilateral matters involving Commerce, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Planning and Development, Communications, Housing and Works, Inter Provincial Coordination, Railways, Petroleum and Natural Resources.
Matters pertaining to Ministry of Water and Power, Ministry of Ports and Shipping and National Food Security were also discussed.
Important items that would come up for discussion at the JEC among others include among others, trade facilitation, motorways, highways and railways projects, Scholarship Scheme for Afghan Students as well as potential joint ventures in various other sectors.
Enhancement of bilateral trade and economic cooperation would be the main focus of the Pak-Afghan JEC being held in about a week’s time.
The Finance Minister directed ministries and departments concerned to conclude the preparatory work on priority.
He said the forthcoming JEC would largely help in achieving progress to this end.
Source: APP
