India, Afghanistan discuss bilateral trade

New Delhi March 30 (IANS) India and Afghanistan on Thursday discussed issues concerning bilateral trade and economic relations at the second meeting of their Joint Working Group.

The second meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on trade commerce and investment between India and Afghanistan at the Commerce Secretary-level which was instituted under the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two countries was held on March 29-30 in New Delhi the Commerce Ministry said here in a statement.

The two sides had extensive discussions on a variety of issues concerning bilateral trade and economic relations including transit of goods business visas trade in pharmaceutical products and rough gemstones air freight corridor and customs cooperation.

Both sides also agreed for further cooperation in different sectors such as renewable energy power standards agriculture transportation and public health and discussed opportunities for investments it said.

The Indian delegation was led by Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia and the Afghan delegation was headed by Mohammad Qurban Haqjo Deputy Minister for Commerce Ministry of Commerce and Industries Afghanistan.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the group will be held in Kabul at a mutually convenient date.

--IANS
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