Afghanistan-Pakistan to resolve transit, trade problems

An agreement was signed between Afghan and Pakistani officials to resolve problems regarding transit and trade between the two countries, the Afghan Ministry of Commerce and Industries said on Sunday.

"Pakistani officials have agreed to reduce tariffs on Afghan fruit and vegetables. They will also allow the export of Afghan cotton to Pakistan", Tolo News quoted Ministry of Commerce and Industries spokesman Musafir Qoqandi as saying.

The agreement was made last week, in Islamabad during at a meeting between Afghan and Pakistani officials.

In return, Afghan officials agreed to lift limitations and conditions on quarantine certificates for Afghan goods which are being exported to Pakistan.

However, Afghan private sector is still are not optimistic about Pakistan's will to cooperate in solving transit and trade issues with Afghanistan.

On May 3, Pakistan reopened a major trade route with Afghanistan, the Ghulam Khan pass which wasn't functional for four years.