Thursday, March 11, 2010
Pakistan, Afghanistan to boost trade to US 15 billion
9:57 PM | 
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ISLAMABAD: Reiterating that Pakistan-Afghanistan ties were important for regional peace, security and development, the two countries agreed to develop communications network, boost trade to 15 billion by 2015 and enhance cooperation in education, agriculture and energy sector.
A Joint Declaration issued at the end of two-day visit of President Hamid Karzai on "Next Steps in Afghanistan-Pakistan Comprehensive Cooperation" expressed determination by the two sides to realize the full potential of their vast human and natural resources for the progress and prosperity of their peoples.
Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to evolve joint strategies for early implementation of trans-Afghan energy projects, with particular focus on CASA-1000 and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Gas Pipeline.
The Joint Declaration signed by the two foreign Ministers Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Dr. Zalmai Rassoul agreed on developing a roadmap for strengthening road, rail and air connectivity and upgrade existing facilities.
The two countries agreed to attach priority to undertaking completion of Peshawar-Jalalabad Expressway and completing feasibility study of Peshawar-Jalalabad rail link.
Pakistan and Afghanistan also agreed to undertake joint studies on promotion and facilitation of multi-modal transport to operationalize transport corridors on mutually agreed routes and to expand aviation links and extend bus services to additional destinations.
They also agreed to develop plans of action for customs harmonization and trade facilitation to facilitate bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan and to optimally utilize the natural comparative economic advantage of the two countries so as to enhance bilateral trade to $ 5 billion by the Year 2015.
The two sides also agreed to establish a Silk Route CEOs Forum, and establish Pakistan-Afghanistan Reconstruction Consortium, pool public and private corporate resources for reconstruction and development.
It was also decided to explore establishment of a Joint Investment Company to undertake joint development projects, including initiatives to develop region's vast mineral and hydel wealth and also to consider setting up Economic and Industrial Zones.
The two countries decided to enhance the number of scholarships for Afghan students in Pakistani educational institutions from the current 1000 to 2000 and to make special arrangements for female Afghan students.
It was also decided to set up an Institute on Management, Business Administration and Faculty Training in Afghanistan.
Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to cooperate closely in capacity building of institutions. In this context, Pakistan offered extending assistance to Afghanistan, in setting up new capacity building institutions and upgrading the existing ones, in Afghanistan.
On agricultural sector the two agreed to focus on food processing, consider creation of a Pakistan-Afghanistan Food Bank to strengthen food security, initiate joint research in agriculture and crops substitution programmes.
They also decided to initiate comprehensive dialogue on environmental protection and mitigating impact of climate change.
Pakistan and Afghanistan also agreed to further strengthen people to people contacts, and promote exchanges among intellectuals, parliamentarians, journalists, academia and students.
It was agreed to establish close links among the media including print, radio and television of the two countries and to promote cultural exchanges.
The joint declaration acknowledged the special bond "grounded in history and geography and spiritual, cultural, and civilizational affinities that impart a compelling sense of shared destiny."
The two countries also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to respect each other's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, consolidate good neighbourly relations, and uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter.
The statement also recalled the Kabul Declaration on Good Neighbourly Relations of 22 December 2002 and the Joint Declaration on Directions of Bilateral Cooperation signed between Pakistan and Afghanistan on 6 January 2009 in Kabul.
A Joint Declaration issued at the end of two-day visit of President Hamid Karzai on "Next Steps in Afghanistan-Pakistan Comprehensive Cooperation" expressed determination by the two sides to realize the full potential of their vast human and natural resources for the progress and prosperity of their peoples.
Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to evolve joint strategies for early implementation of trans-Afghan energy projects, with particular focus on CASA-1000 and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Gas Pipeline.
The Joint Declaration signed by the two foreign Ministers Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Dr. Zalmai Rassoul agreed on developing a roadmap for strengthening road, rail and air connectivity and upgrade existing facilities.
The two countries agreed to attach priority to undertaking completion of Peshawar-Jalalabad Expressway and completing feasibility study of Peshawar-Jalalabad rail link.
Pakistan and Afghanistan also agreed to undertake joint studies on promotion and facilitation of multi-modal transport to operationalize transport corridors on mutually agreed routes and to expand aviation links and extend bus services to additional destinations.
They also agreed to develop plans of action for customs harmonization and trade facilitation to facilitate bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan and to optimally utilize the natural comparative economic advantage of the two countries so as to enhance bilateral trade to $ 5 billion by the Year 2015.
The two sides also agreed to establish a Silk Route CEOs Forum, and establish Pakistan-Afghanistan Reconstruction Consortium, pool public and private corporate resources for reconstruction and development.
It was also decided to explore establishment of a Joint Investment Company to undertake joint development projects, including initiatives to develop region's vast mineral and hydel wealth and also to consider setting up Economic and Industrial Zones.
The two countries decided to enhance the number of scholarships for Afghan students in Pakistani educational institutions from the current 1000 to 2000 and to make special arrangements for female Afghan students.
It was also decided to set up an Institute on Management, Business Administration and Faculty Training in Afghanistan.
Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to cooperate closely in capacity building of institutions. In this context, Pakistan offered extending assistance to Afghanistan, in setting up new capacity building institutions and upgrading the existing ones, in Afghanistan.
On agricultural sector the two agreed to focus on food processing, consider creation of a Pakistan-Afghanistan Food Bank to strengthen food security, initiate joint research in agriculture and crops substitution programmes.
They also decided to initiate comprehensive dialogue on environmental protection and mitigating impact of climate change.
Pakistan and Afghanistan also agreed to further strengthen people to people contacts, and promote exchanges among intellectuals, parliamentarians, journalists, academia and students.
It was agreed to establish close links among the media including print, radio and television of the two countries and to promote cultural exchanges.
The joint declaration acknowledged the special bond "grounded in history and geography and spiritual, cultural, and civilizational affinities that impart a compelling sense of shared destiny."
The two countries also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to respect each other's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, consolidate good neighbourly relations, and uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter.
The statement also recalled the Kabul Declaration on Good Neighbourly Relations of 22 December 2002 and the Joint Declaration on Directions of Bilateral Cooperation signed between Pakistan and Afghanistan on 6 January 2009 in Kabul.
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