ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: Pakistan has proposed to Afghanistan to hold Pak-Afghan joint industrial exhibitions in various parts of the world.

The proposal was put forward by Pakistan Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq while addressing the inaugural ceremony of ‘Made in Pakistan’ exhibition in Kabul on Thursday. The exhibition was organised by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).

Sadiq also offered Pakistan’s readiness to extend technical assistance to Afghanistan for promoting and strengthening its gem stone and marble industry.

Underscoring the significance for promoting the trade and economic relations between the two neighbouring countries, he said that it was the need of the hour to intensify the economic relations by holding frequent exhibitions in both the countries, undertaking trade exchange programmes and joint venture and further expanding the trade volume from the existing $2 billion for the economic advantages of the two sides.

The ambassador said the bilateral trade between the two countries rose to $2 billion in 2012  from $26 million in 2001.

Both countries were required to focus on promoting economic relations which would bring industrial, agricultural and economic development to both sides, he said.

Afghan Deputy Minister for Finance and Administer Dr Sadruddin Sehar; Vice President of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Khan Jan Alokozay, Chairman RCCI Exhibition Committee, Ch. Abdul Rauf and RCCI President Chaudhry Parvez Warraich also spoke on the occasion.