ISLAMABAD, Oct 8: The value of Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) has increased by more than 36 per cent during the first two months (July-August) of the current financial year.

An official source in the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) told Dawn on Wednesday that the massive increase registered in the imports under ATT was mainly due to removal of 8 items from the negative list.

He further said that reduction in the railway freight charges has also facilitated more the Afghan importers in importing goods under ATT.

Official statistics made available to Dawn on Wednesday showed that the value of ATT stood at Rs4.082 billion during the first two months of the current financial year against Rs2.989 billion of last year, an increase of 36.56 per cent.

The value of ATT rose by more than 128 per cent during the period under review when compared with the value of Rs1.788 billion worth goods imported during the same period of 2001-02.

On monthly basis, the statistics showed that the ATT value stood at Rs2.36bn in August 2003 against Rs1.543bn over the corresponding month of last year, showing an increase of 53 per cent.