The ‘Business-to-Business (B2B) Barter Trade Mechanism’ has been officially sanctioned by the federal government of Pakistan to foster trade with Iran, Afghanistan, and Russia.
The Commerce Ministry issued a formal announcement that authorizes government-run enterprises and private firms to trade goods. This directive comes in the wake of the federal Cabinet’s approval of a policy designed to stimulate barter trade to enhance Pakistan’s regional commerce two months prior.
According to the announcement, the B2B barter trade facility requests, which authorize goods trade, will be submitted electronically by the trader or their delegated agent to the designated collector via an online system.
Trade activities under the B2B Barter Trade agreement are permitted based on the principle of “import followed by export,” where the value of the exported goods offsets that of the imported items.
The Ministry has compiled a list of 26 goods suitable for export to Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia. The list includes milk, cream, eggs and cereals, meat and fish, fruits and vegetables, rice, salt, pharmaceuticals, finished leather and leather apparel, footwear, steel, and sports equipment.
The government has also announced a list of products authorized for import from Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia. This includes various items such as fruits and nuts, vegetables and pulses, spices, minerals and metals, coal and coal, raw rubber, raw hides and skins, cotton, and iron and steel.