Abstract

This paper aims to inform academia and policymakers about ways

and means to first increase trade with Afghanistan, and second, to discuss

trade-related procedures and processes that could be streamlined for reducing

the cost of doing business (with Afghanistan). Using a firm-level survey of

exporters, traders, transporters and distributors, it also discusses how best the

Pakistani business community can position itself under various economic

scenarios in Afghanistan. It also contends as to how the increased cost of

doing business is already hurting the competitiveness of Pakistani

manufacturing and trading community. Besides highlighting upcoming competition

from Iran and India, the paper argues that small improvements in transit

facility for Afghan goods (via Pakistan) may lead to more commercial trade

prospects between the two countries.