PESHAWAR: Business community appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan for taking bold steps to increase net revenue generation of Customs House and directing the authorities for preparations to keep open the Torkham Border 24 hours a day.
President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Faiz Mohammad Faizi while talking with Customs Today said that Prime Minister Imran Khan took great initiative to direct authorities for 24 hours open entry through Torkham border. The Torkham border usually closes at 5pm due to disagreements between border management of both countries due to which importers and exporters have to bear losses.
He said that KP has potential to export products to Afghanistan and the industry of KP flourished after entry of multi-national companies.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said to facilitate trade with Afghanistan to strengthen the brotherhood among two neighboring countries. Business community sees this initiative a game changer for growth of trade through Torkham Border.
President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industries also attended international customs day at Customs House the other day along with Senator Ilyas Bilour and delegation of the chamber. The issues of interests were discussed on the occasion with Collector Saeed Jadoon.
The President Sarhad SCCI further said that in order to increase exports to Afghanistan, government should direct the commercial banks to issue letter of credit on easy terms. The government initiative to give loans with 5-6 percent mark-up is good for schemes of more than 10 to 12 years.
He said to increase trade with Afghanistan government should direct the State Bank to decrease mark-up ratio on loans.