September 8, 2002	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Saani29,1423

LAHORE, Sept 7: Not many opportunities of investment or trade exist in the war-torn neighbouring country of Afghanistan.

This was said by Export Promotion Bureau chairman Tariq Ikram, who led the first delegation of Pakistani businessmen to Kabul in the last week of August to explore the business opportunities, at his press conference here on Friday.

The delegation comprised representatives from transport, rice, wheat, chemicals, telecommunication, construction, autoparts, and other sectors.

“The road, telecommunication, and other infrastructure is in a disarray. The promised aid of $1.7 billion from donors for Afghan reconstruction is yet to come.

Only $50 million have so far been raised for the Afghan Trust. It is still risky to go there and invest. But those who are ready to trade off risk with opportunities would benefit in future,” he added.

He said the Afghan officials had also raised the issue of ATT. However, there remain certain issues (of smuggling) which need to be dealt with before any headway is made in this respect.

Pakistan would arrange single country exhibition in Kabul next month in order to promote its products and services. He added the foodstuff items from Pakistan had already made sufficient inroads into Afghanistan and its competitors — India, China and Iran — were way behind it. “So the impression that we’ve missed the boat is wrong.”