Barter trade with Tehran discussed

Both sides will share list of products for trade

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema has said that Pak-Iran relations are entering a new phase based on mutually beneficial agricultural ties to ensure food security in both countries.

Welcoming an Iranian delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Jihad Abbas Askarzadeh, Cheema said that barter trade between Pakistan and Iran would enhance and facilitate bilateral ties. “Under the barter trade arrangement, Pakistan will export oranges in exchange for Iranian apples.”

Agreeing to the arrangement, the Iranian minister said that barter trade between Pakistan and Iran had very promising prospects.

In the coming days, both countries will share a list of products which they will trade under the said arrangement. The food security minister voiced hope that in future both countries would work together for the betterment of agriculture sector and the welfare of people.

Askarzadeh said he was delighted to work with Pakistan and was looking forward to increasing cooperation and partnership with Pakistan’s agriculture sector. “Iran will meet the agricultural needs of Pakistan and will introduce Pakistani farm products in Iran,” he emphasised.

The deputy minister said that there was a huge potential of trade between the two countries, but unfortunately it was not tapped in the past.

Askarzadeh invited Cheema to visit Iran for more meetings to promote trade relations in the field of agriculture.

The food security minister underlined that there were vast opportunities of trade and agricultural cooperation, which should be explored by overcoming hurdles and forging collaborations.

Both sides discussed trade options for fertiliser to help meet local consumption needs and vowed to meet the demand for farm products in the two counties.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2022.

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