Hundreds of trucks loaded with food and non-food items that belonged to Afghan businessmen have been stranded on both sides of the Torkham crossing in eastern Nangahar province due to travel document issues.
According to the Chamber of Commerce and Investment of Nangarhar the two governments have created a document called Trade Certificate to make it easier for drivers to travel, but most of the drivers have not received this document.
Drivers and traders have asked Afghan government to facilitate the quick and smooth creation of this document.
Officials in Nangarhar province and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said efforts were underway to address the problem.
Zalami Azeemi, the administrative board member of Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “A few months ago, a Pakistani delegation came to Kabul, and in order to solve the problems of truck drivers, the two governments jointly agreed to create a document called Trade Certificate, which allows motorists from both sides to travel freely.”
He said: “This document is very important, but the problem is that the document is made only in embassies where there is always many applicants waiting for the documents to be processed, the cost of the document is set at 20 dollars, now it is made in the open market, the cost has reached hundreds of dollars, but still people are not able to get it.”
Azimi said around 600 trucks this side and some 400 trucks on the other side of the crossing loaded with fruits, vegetable and other food items waited permission.
He demanded that both governments should facilitate the provision of Trade Certificate and open special offices in port cities for its distribution.
Some drivers also demanded the process of Trade Certificate formation should be accelerated.
Wahid Gul, one of the drivers, said if a Trade Certificate distribution centre is created at Torkham all the drivers would be benefited.
Mawlavi Sediqullah Qureshi, head of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, said the foreign affairs department worked with the centre to address this issue.
Abdul Salaam Jawad, spokesperson for the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, said: “Most of our drivers did not get the Trade Certificate, it was pledged that till August all the drivers would get the Trade Certificate, talks are underway the issue would be addressed.”
nh
Views: 8