PBF for trade with Afghanistan in local currency

Author: Monitoring Desk

Pakistan Businesses Forum (PBF) on Tuesday urged the authorities concerned to take measures for trade with Afghanistan in Pak rupee, a move that can ease the country’s burgeoning current account deficit. Talking to the media, PBF Vice President Ahmad Jawad said it would also be a good move for Pakistan’s importers to deal in rupee. “In a currency swap arrangement, countries that buy from each other pay in their respective currency at a pre-determined exchange rate instead of trading in US dollar. This helps save foreign exchange and strengthens their currencies,” he explained. He said the government must form a task force with representatives from commerce ministry, State Bank of Pakistan and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to prepare a list of countries with which Pakistan could consider trading in rupee. The country had started importing coal from Afghanistan and government was paying for the coal in rupees and supplying it to the coal-fired power plant in Sahiwal and Hub power plant, and helped Pakistan save USs2.2b on import bill annually. The scope of trading under currency swap should be enhanced for other items too.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Op-Ed

Brink of Catastrophe

The world today teeters on the edge of catastrophe, consumed by a series of interconnected…

8 hours ago
  • Uncategorized

Commitment of the Pak Army

Recent terrorist attacks in the country indicate that these ruthless elements have not been completely…

8 hours ago
  • Op-Ed

Transforming Population into Economic Growth Drivers

One of Pakistan's most pressing challenges is its rapidly growing population, with an alarming average…

8 hours ago
  • Uncategorized

Challenges Meet Chances

Pakistan's economy is rewriting its story. From turbulent times to promising horizons, the country is…

8 hours ago
  • Editorial

Smogged Cities

After a four-day respite, Lahore, alongside other cities in Punjab, faces again the comeback of…

8 hours ago
  • Editorial

Harm or Harness?

The Australian government's proposal to ban social media for citizens under 16 has its merits…

8 hours ago