ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: Afghanistan has urged Pakistan to allow its imports from India via Wagha border which Kabul believes will reduce the cost of products. Talking to Dawn after a meeting with businessmen here on Friday, Afghan Commerce Minister Hedayat Amin Arsala said that Kabul had already conveyed the proposal among others to the high-ups in Islamabad for consideration.

Under the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT), Afghanistan could import goods from any country through the sea port of Pakistan. However, the land route was not mentioned in the treaty which was singed in the year 1965.

He said that goods imported from India through sea were costlier owing to high freight charges as against those transported via Wagha border.

However, Afghanistan could export products to India through the land route.

India and Afghanistan had already inked a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to increase the volume of bilateral trade. The PTA covers import of dry fruits, fruits and some other commodities from Afghanistan.

Answering a question the Afghan commerce minister said that the PTA signed with India was unilateral, which allowed only reduction in duty on Afghan goods. He, however, said that normal tariffs in Afghanistan were much lower in the region.

He said that PTA with Pakistan would be considered shortly, which would cover wide range of products.

He ruled out the impression that Indian products got maximum support in the Afghan market and said that only competitiveness and quality of the products could capture maximum market.

When asked that export of nine major products of Pakistan to Afghanistan mostly used in the reconstruction activities declined during the first half year of the current fiscal, the minister said that it might happen because India, China and Thailand were offering the same products at cheaper rates.

The minister said that during the upcoming Pak-Afghan Joint Economic Commission meeting a range of issues would be discussed regarding further enhancement of bilateral trade.

Answering a question, the minister said that the issue of negative list and seeking of further facilities for imports of goods under the ATT would also come under discussion.

He said that currently cumbersome procedures were involved in the handling of ATT goods, which not only resulted into delay but also caused inconvenience to the Afghan importers.

He said that the existing ATT agreement could be re-negotiated.