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Border Closure Decreases Trade Value: ACCI

Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) warned on Tuesday that if the border with Pakistan remained closed, the value of trade between the two countries will decrease.

The ACCI said Pakistan would suffer 80% of the losses for stopping its business and trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The Chamber of Commerce also cautioned Afghan businessman and traders not to start business with Pakistan as long as that country does not change its punitive politics against Afghanistan.

ACCI data shows that around 1.000 trucks have on stopped on the Pakistan side of Torkham border post. A further 1.000 trucks are stranded on Pakistan’s side of the Spin Boldak border post.

Another 300 trucks are waiting on the Afghanistan side of Durand Line and a 1.200 more trucks transferring goods from Pakistan to Afghanistan, are stranded elsewhere in Pakistan.

“My suggestion to my brothers is that we should not do trade when there is a risk. We will not use the Karachi road for trade purposes until our destiny and situation is known,” Khan Jan Alokozay, deputy head of ACCI said.

“Hundreds of trucks have been stopped and this is a serious problem for us. Our drivers are spending days and nights in very bad circumstances,” Tala Mohammad, head of Truckers’ Union said.

Haji Abdul Razaq, an Afghan trader has six trucks loaded with fresh fruit from Pakistan waiting on the Pakistan side of the Torkham border post.

He says some of the fruit has already rotted and part of the load will have to be sold at low prices.

The Torkham border gate was closed eleven days ago and still remained closed. As a result, prices of fresh vegetables and fruits have increased in Afghanistan.

“Fresh fruit prices have been doubled,” said Mohammad Alim, a fresh fruit seller.

“Before the border was closed, vegetables cost less, but after the closure, the prices have increased,” said Aimal, a vegetables seller said.

Musafir Qoqandi, spokesman of Ministry of Commerce and Industries, commented on the issue: “Discussions are ongoing. We have always said that we want good trade relationships with all countries.”

ACCI says the border closure, in addition to creating problems in the transit of goods, has affected the small markets located near the borders in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Border Closure Decreases Trade Value: ACCI

Thousands of trucks, many loaded with fresh produce, are stranded on both sides of the closed Afghanistan and Pakistan border.

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Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) warned on Tuesday that if the border with Pakistan remained closed, the value of trade between the two countries will decrease.

The ACCI said Pakistan would suffer 80% of the losses for stopping its business and trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The Chamber of Commerce also cautioned Afghan businessman and traders not to start business with Pakistan as long as that country does not change its punitive politics against Afghanistan.

ACCI data shows that around 1.000 trucks have on stopped on the Pakistan side of Torkham border post. A further 1.000 trucks are stranded on Pakistan’s side of the Spin Boldak border post.

Another 300 trucks are waiting on the Afghanistan side of Durand Line and a 1.200 more trucks transferring goods from Pakistan to Afghanistan, are stranded elsewhere in Pakistan.

“My suggestion to my brothers is that we should not do trade when there is a risk. We will not use the Karachi road for trade purposes until our destiny and situation is known,” Khan Jan Alokozay, deputy head of ACCI said.

“Hundreds of trucks have been stopped and this is a serious problem for us. Our drivers are spending days and nights in very bad circumstances,” Tala Mohammad, head of Truckers’ Union said.

Haji Abdul Razaq, an Afghan trader has six trucks loaded with fresh fruit from Pakistan waiting on the Pakistan side of the Torkham border post.

He says some of the fruit has already rotted and part of the load will have to be sold at low prices.

The Torkham border gate was closed eleven days ago and still remained closed. As a result, prices of fresh vegetables and fruits have increased in Afghanistan.

“Fresh fruit prices have been doubled,” said Mohammad Alim, a fresh fruit seller.

“Before the border was closed, vegetables cost less, but after the closure, the prices have increased,” said Aimal, a vegetables seller said.

Musafir Qoqandi, spokesman of Ministry of Commerce and Industries, commented on the issue: “Discussions are ongoing. We have always said that we want good trade relationships with all countries.”

ACCI says the border closure, in addition to creating problems in the transit of goods, has affected the small markets located near the borders in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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