Karzai urges Pakistani business community to invest in Afghanistan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai Thursday urged the Pakistani business community and investors to take advantage of the trade potential present in Afghanistan to promote bilateral trade. Addressing a select gathering of Pakistani business community at a gathering organised jointly by the Board of Investment and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here at a local hotel, Karzai said the investors from Pakistan could invest in any field. “The promotion of business and trade between the two countries have grown not rapidly but 'drastically' in the last six years,” said Karzai. He said the trade which was just $ 25 million in 2001 has increased to $ 1.3 billion that include mainly exports from Pakistan to Afghanistan. Regarding complaints of cement exports to Afghanistan, Karzai said there are no restrictions on import of cement as due to massive development projects, Afghanistan needs more cement. He however said there have been some duty adjustments for the import of beverages to protect the local industry.