ISLAMABAD: The first-ever shipment under the Convention on the International Transport of Goods for traffic-in-transit of goods across the border has reached Uzbekistan from Pakistan in 48 hours via Afghanistan.

Islamabad signed the Convention on International Transport of Goods Under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention) in August 2015, which is a multilateral treaty that entails no payment of Customs duties and taxes. Pakistan ratified the convention in January 2016.

An official statement quoted Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood as saying that the long-term vision of the government for trade and economic relations with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs) is that we want to make Pakistan a hub for trade, transit and trans-shipment

He said that connectivity with trading partners is vital for viable trade relations. He said that the structure and efficiency connectivity networks enable access to markets and should be considered a facet of the trade competitiveness.

This will ensure that Pakistan leverages its geo-strategic location in the region to enhance its international trade. He said that the current engagement with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, are steps towards implementation of this vision, he added.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2021