PAJCCI efforts bring down Afghan Tariff to PKR 10 per Kg on Pakistani Citrus Fruits
KARACHI: After relentless efforts of PAJCCI on both sides of the border, the Afghan Government has revised the tariff on Pakistani Citrus to PKR 10 per Kg from PKR 33 per kg which brought relief to fruit traders on both sides.
The step to rationalize tariff positively impacts both sides by bringing in much-needed revenue especially for Afghanistan; keeping in view the prevailing financial crisis and the absence of a formal banking channel. Such steps must be continually taken in order to sustain stable economic activity.
Zubair Motiwala; Chairman PAJCCI appreciated the concentrated efforts of Khan Jan Alokozai, who along with Afghan Union of Fresh Fruit traders met with Afghan Minister for Industry and Commerce and Ministry of Finance to solicit the support of the Afghan government in resolving the issue on an urgent basis.
Last week PAJCCI held stakeholders meeting with the Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the issue of held citrus consignments and high tariffs impacting the trade and strived to bring it to the limelight for an immediate resolution to save businesses from loss. President Sargodha Chamber lauded role of PAJCCI and Zubair Motiwala who continues to bring all stakeholders to the table and provides an active forum to address the issues with both governments impeding economic growth.
Motiwala iterated that PAJCCI is committed to not only raising concerns but to facilitating practical solutions on the ground in both countries by taking the voice of the business community to the highest levels. He again requested the honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan for taking notice of the recent State bank of Pakistan’s notification of abolishing cash-on-counter facility which has terrible impacts on transacting with both Afghanistan and CIS countries. Currently, consignments of raw cotton being imported from Afghanistan and transited from CARs are stuck on the border due to persisting banking problems. TF Report
