February 13, 2002	Wednesday	Ziqa’ad 29, 1422

QUETTA, Feb 12: The newly appointed Afghan Consul General in Quetta, Habibullah Allahyar, has demanded of Pakistan government to release hundreds of transit goods containers standard at Karachi port, since October last due to US attack on Afghanistan.

Speaking at a seminar on Reconstruction of Afghanistan arranged by Small Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda), Balochistan, at BCCI Auditorium, here on Tuesday, he said that due to standard of these goods containers the Afghan importers were facing huge losses.

He said after US attack on Afghanistan, transit trade was suspended and billion of rupees worth imported goods from different countries including Japan, Germany and UAE was withheld by the Karachi port authorities.

Habibullah Allahyar said that in view of financial crisis and huge losses being faced by Afghan businessmen and traders the government of Pakistan should consider their demand and take early decision in this regard.

He said that as far as reconstruction of Afghanistan is concerned Kabul would welcome Pakistani business tycoon and companies to play their role in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

“Japan’ s Toyota and Mitsubishi companies have showed big interest for establishing their industrial units in Afghanistan and they have indicated to initially invest over one billion dollar, “ Habibullah Allahyar said adding that many big business and trade institutions also wanted to take part in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

He said that Afghan government would soon evolve a comprehensive policy on various issues including international trade and business, import and export, booking system and issuing of long-term visas to the traders and businessmen.

He said that Afghan government would try to extend maximum facilities to the businessman and traders of neighbouring countries. He said that under the new Afghan trade policy traders would be provided all possible facilities to promote trade and business between the two countries.

He said at present Afghanistan was not in a position to start flights of its national carrier to Pakistan. “Presently we have only two passenger planes,” he said.

He said that Pakistan should re-open its Consulate General in Kandahar, which was necessary for the promotion of trade between the two countries.

Balochistan’s Minister for Industries Sardar Mohammad Ali Jogezai while speaking as chief guest at the first session of the seminar, urged Pakistani traders and business community to prepare themselves for an import role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

“Both Pakistan and Balochistan governments would extend all help and cooperation to those Pakistani companies and businessmen who wanted to take part in rebuilding of Afghanistan,” Sardar Jogezai said.

He said that Smeda and such other institution could play a significant role in this regard.

The president, Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Attaullah Kholhar while speaking at the seminar said that it was a big opportunity for the Pakistani business community and companies to play their role in reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The head of the Smeda, Quetta, Syed Anwar, and many other participants of the seminar also spoke on the occasion. Syed Anwar informed that soon a seminar would be held in border town Chaman and Dubai.

He said that Dubai have importance in trade with Afghanistan as in absence of banking system in Afghanistan all business people were doing their business through Dubai banks.

Director, Export Promotion Bureau, Quetta, Sarwar Brohi, members of BCCI and Chaman also present in the seminar.