Iranian envoy expresses interest in CPEC

First Iranian bank branch will open in Karachi soon

LAHORE: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a great economic development project and Iran wants to be part of it, said Consul General of Iran Mohammad Hossein Bani Assadi, while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Tuesday.

The Iranian Consul General, who was also heading a three-member delegation of an Iranian construction group, said that the first Iranian bank branch will open in Karachi very soon as the State Bank of Pakistan and Central Bank of Iran have finalised all modalities in this regard.



He said that Iran and Pakistan should take measures to enhance mutual trade volume as both countries have trade potential worth billions of dollars.

“Iran is ready to fulfil the growing energy needs of Pakistan,” said Assadi, adding that the Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline project could be completed in a short span of time.

Also speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Abdul Basit said that collaboration between Pakistani and Iranian business in the ongoing projects of CPEC could go a long way. He welcomed the statement of Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost saying that Iran is interested to join CPEC and invest in Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy sectors.

He encouraged both sides to conduct research and further enhance trade relations, adding that priority should be given to each other for import of goods.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2016.

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