Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan set up trade working group at first trilateral meeting

This handout photo, taken and released by the Afghanistan Embassy in Islamabad, shows Pakistan's interim commerce minister Dr Gohar Ejaz (center) with his Afghan counterpart, Hajji Nooruddin Azizi (center, right) and Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Jamshid Khodjaev (center, left), during the first trilateral meeting between the three nations in Islamabd on November 14, 2023. (Photo courtesy: X/@AfghanembassyI1)

• Three countries working on plans for trade transit, railway connections between South and Central Asia that would cross through Afghanistan
• Tripartite meeting in Islamabad co-chaired by commerce ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan, deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have set up a trade working group, the prime minister’s office in Islamabad said on Tuesday after the conclusion of the first trilateral meeting between the three nations.
The tripartite meeting in Islamabad was co-chaired by the commerce ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan. The three countries have been working on plans for trade transit and railway connections between South and Central Asia that would cross through Afghanistan.
“The three sides also established a trilateral working group to discuss customs, logistics, trade promotion, tariffs, TIR procedures, etc,” the PMO said in a statement after a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Dr. Jamshid Khodjaev Abdukhakomovich, and Caretaker Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in Islamabad.
“Showing satisfaction at the outcome of the trilateral meeting, the Prime minister hoped that the trilateral mechanism would boost trade relations between the three countries.”
“Kakar expressed satisfaction at the pace of bilateral engagements between the two countries especially in the areas of trade, defense and connectivity,” the statement added. “The Prime Minister underlined the need to continue momentum of people-to-people exchanges.”
Kakar said easy visa procedures, improved banking channels and reciprocal warehousing facilities would further boost trade between the two countries and hoped the business communities of both nations could easily achieve the bilateral trade target of $ 1 billion “in a short time.”
“The meeting focused on boosting trade relations among the three nations,” a statement from the Pakistani commerce ministry said after talks concluded. “Discussions centered around reducing trade barriers, simplifying customs procedures, and promoting smoother cross-border trade.”
The officials also discussed regional connectivity and enhancing transportation networks and promoting infrastructure development to facilitate the movement of goods.
“By promoting economic interdependence and cooperation, we can build a foundation for sustainable development and prosperity in the region,” Pakistani commerce minister Dr. Gohar Ejaz was quoted by the statement as saying.
“By leveraging their strengths and resources, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan can tap into new markets and expand their economies,” the minister added.