The Federations of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry have entered into an agreement for the establishment of Pakistan-Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI). Officials said that the purpose of establishment of PACCI is to provide a forum for more systematic business promotional activities in trade, economic cooperation, investment, transfer of technology, services, and other industrial sectors between both the countries. The PACCI will provide a regular and recognised platform for discussions on promotion of these activities between businessmen and industrialists of the two countries. It is considered as a bridge between the business community of both the counties which will carry out research and provide timely information, data and guidelines to members on government policies relating to incentives for investment, joint ventures, economic cooperation, taxation, and trade. PACCI will also help resolve the trade disputes. Under the agreement the Federation of Chambers of both the countries will organise a meeting of PACCI once in a year in Afghanistan and Pakistan alternately. The Executive Committee of PACCI will consist of thirty members, fifteen from each Federation CCI. The establishment of PACCI is being considered as an accomplishment of long desire of business community of both the countries which will help them come closer, exploring new avenues for promotion of bilateral trade and economic relations. Pakistan and Afghanistan are members of SAARC and ECO and establishment of PACCI is being viewed as an important platform to play a significant role in both the respective regions.
