Ties with Iran: Envoy urges businessmen to tap trade potential

Issues like customs tariffs, banking channel, better railway links need to be resolved

RAWALPINDI: There are tremendous opportunities to improve trade relations between Pakistan and Iran, said Pakistan Ambassador to Iran Asif Ali Khan Durrani during his visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Monday.

Addressing the traders, he said that Pakistan and Iran have old history and they are culturally, historically, linguistically and religiously attached with each other.

He said that Pakistan is facing an energy crisis and Iran has enough power sources in terms of electricity and gas. As the world powers have lifted sanctions on the country there are great opportunities for Pakistani businessmen to tap trade potential in Iran, the ambassador added.

“Pharmaceutical, information technology, petro chemical and commodities can serve as key areas of investment to improve bilateral trade.” Durrani said that Iran is a big market and Pakistani goods have a good reputation and value in Iranian market. There is a big demand of Pakistani basmati rice, he added.



Talking about the problems hindering trade he said there is a need to improve the banking channels to address the LC issues and air links with direct flights from Tehran to Islamabad and other cities.

He informed the participants about the upcoming “Aalishan Pakistan Expo” in Iran to be held on March 4-7. Durrani assured his full cooperation and said that his office is ready to provide any assistance in this regard.

Also speaking on the occasion, RCCI President Raja Amer Iqbal said that the exchange of delegations is important, as single country exhibitions can be a great source of introducing products in each other’s market.

Assuring the ambassador of their participation in the upcoming expo, Iqbal said that the business community is ready to improve the bilateral trade volume and business activities between the two countries.

He urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve issues like customs tariffs, clearance, third currency, banking channel and better railway links. He said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor offers a big opportunity for traders to improve regional trade and connectivity. An agile response and assistance is required from the government, he added.

The ambassador was given a short briefing on RCCI current and upcoming events.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2016.

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