PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KPCCI) President Zulfiqar Ali Khan has stressed the need for early implementation of the CASA-1000 power generation project to enable the country to import 1,000MW of electricity from the Central and South Asian countries to meet its growing energy requirements.

He stated this during a meeting with Tajikistan Ambassador to Pakistan, Jononov Sherali, during the latter’s visit to the KPCCI here on Friday. Mr Zulfiqar called for removal of impediments to give further boost to trade and economic relations between Tajikistan and Pakistan, and rest of the regional countries.

He said the visa process should be made easier to enhance bilateral trade between the two friendly countries, besides removing hurdles to the way of Pak-Afghan transit trade mechanism.

Tajikistan Commercial Attaché Maruf Jon, honorary Consul General of Tajikistan, Eng Saeed Mehmood, and members of the business community, and KPCCI office-bearers were also present on the occasion.

KPCCI chief said the Central Asian and South Asia (CASA-1000) was a significant, mega power generation project, which could not only boost trade relations with Pakistan, but could also help cope with the growing energy crisis in the country.

“KP is a golden-gate for Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics,” Mr Zulfiqar said and stressed the need for removing all impediments to enhancing trade relations among Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and rest of the regional countries.

The KPCCI president said there was huge potential to enhance the existing trade volume of US dollars 89 million to 500 million between Tajikistan and Pakistan. He said the upcoming Pak-Tajik trade and culture festival would play a vital role in promotion of the bilateral trade ties.

On the occasion, the Tajik envoy said his country gave great importance to bolster mutual economic and trade relations with Pakistan. He asked the Pakistani investors to take full benefit of the opportunities offered in various sectors in Tajikistan.

Jononov Sherali invited the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa investors to participate in Pak-Tajik trade festival, which is going to be held from April 7 to 11 in Dushanbe.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2016