ISLAMABAD: The Natio­nal Assembly will organise a two-day seminar beginning on Monday titled “Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Forum 2020” to explore opportunities to boost trade and investment between the two countries.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will speak at the seminar as the chief guest. Others who will speak on the occasion include NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Speaker of Afghan Wolesi Jirga (Afghanistan’s parliament) Mir Rahman Rahmani and Afghan Commerce Minister Nisar Ghoriyani.

On the invitation of National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, a 17-member Afghan parliamentary delegation, led by Speaker of Wolsey Jirga Mr Rahmani, is in Islamabad these days to participate in the seminar.

According to a handout of the National Assembly Sec­re­­­­­tariat, lawmakers, ministers and businessmen from the two countries would attend the seminar.

The USAID, Pakistan, has also extended support to National Assembly Secre­tariat in organising the seminar under its regional connectivity and integration initiative.

Thematic sessions of the seminar will discuss Pakistan-Afghanistan transit trade, and investment opportunities in the manufacturing, agriculture, food, livestock and minerals sectors.

“Seminar is unique and historic keeping in view the government’s vibrant policies aimed at promoting regional connectivity and creating an environment of shared development and prosperity,” the handout said.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2020