President SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iftikhar Ali Malik has said that Pakistan’s prudent decision of barter trade with Afghanistan and Iran would further strengthen trilateral trade relations and foster existing economic ties among the three neighbouring Muslim countries.

Talking to a delegation of traders led by Waqas Anjum in Islamabad he said it is good wisdom based decision of the government to allow imports and exports under barter trade with both countries to promote trade with regional states.

He said barter trade has tremendous importance to strengthen regional trade connectivity and to do with foreign exchange and other challenges confronted by the regional countries.

He said it is good point to note that Pakistan government has amended relevant part of import and export policy orders 2020 to launch barter trade under the arrangements finalized after taking stakeholders into confidence.

He hoped that the appropriate mechanism of barter trade would be placed in action and finalised by the authorities of Iran and Pakistan.

He said special desk has been established at SAARC Chamber headquarters to facilitate the traders of member countries especially for Afghanistan.