Afghanistan, Pakistan in trade transit pact-Clinton

Published: 06 May 2009 17:12:57 PST

WASHINGTON, May 6 - Afghanistan and Pakistan will commit on Wednesday to a trade and transit agreement aimed at increasing commerce and foreign investment in the two countries, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

The pact, to be concluded by year's end, is "an important milestone in their efforts to generate foreign investment, stronger economic growth and trade opportunities," Clinton said before a summit among U.S. President Barack Obama, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.