The PAJC group met with the Afghan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI) on Sunday 19 February, 2017 in Kabul.
The ACCI Chairman, Mr. Jan Alokozay and Vice Chairman, Mr. Muhammad Yunus and other senior officials of the ACCI welcomed the PAJC group at the ACCI office. Mr. Alokozay briefed the PAJC group on the consequences of the border closure (Pakistan had unilaterally shut down its border with Afghanistan on 17 February) . He said that the recent border closure will further decrease the transit and bilateral trade between the two countries. He noted that the Afghan transit trade containers were down to 15,000 in 2016 from a peak of 75,000 in 2010. He told the group that Afghanistan will have to look at other alternatives such as access to Iran port Chabahar, though Iran is more expensive but much it is more certain and secure. He further said that even prior to the border closure trust on Karachi port is lost due to corruption from the clearing processes in Karachi to the transition through the border at Chamman and Torkham. In many cases massive demurrage forced the importers to abandon their cargo. Delays in clearance of sugar caused massive losses because it begins rotting in the humid environment of Karachi.
Alokozay said abrupt closures such as the recent one have caused millions of dollars losses to importers and exporters, particularly those of perishable items such as fruits, vegetables or dairy products. Afghan traders have often suffered also because of unusually high taxes on seasonal fruits.
Pak Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PAJCCI) was created in the hope that it would serve as a bridge even in adverse times but it hasn’t been able to prevent losses through abrupt closures.
He asked the group that can we delink business from politics. And can business function normally in abnormal political conditions?
The PAJC group thanked the ACCI senior officials for taking time out to meet with the group and assured them they will consult with PAJCCI, referring to the meeting with them in January during the 3rd meeting of PAJC in Karachi, and also with other relevant ministries to look at the issues highlighted in this meeting.