Pakistan has offered huge incentives in transit trade agreement with Afghanistan.
Scanning requirement of Afghan transit cargo would be reduced to 20 from 100 per cent, subject to risk-profiling and introduction of a risk management system that will be established within next three months, according to decisions taken at a recent meeting of both countries top officials.
While trackers would be installed on containers, cost of trackers on prime-movers will not be charged from Afghan importers, but would be borne by bonded carrier companies. Importers will be required to pay a single revolving guarantee.
Number of bonded carriers to handle Afghan Transit cargo will be increased to provide competition and thereby reducing cost; and condition for one consignment, one carrier will be relaxed. One consignment on two carriers or two consignments on one carrier will be allowed.
Pakistan also offered Afghanistan the facility to use land route to export anything to India. Currently, only export of fruits and vegetables is allowed.
The Pakistani side agreed that on their way back, Afghan trucks can pick up export cargo from Pakistan to Afghanistan.
On a request from the Afghan side, Pakistan agreed that necessary changes in WeBOC system would be incorporated by February to allow system based partial shipments for all transit goods, instead of case to case manual arrangement in place now.
On the issue of discriminatory charges at ports, Pakistan clarified that charges are more favourable for Afghan Transit cargo.
On Afghanistan’s request, Pakistan agreed that issue of demurrage by shipping lines will be discussed with the Ministry of Ports and Shipping.
