Iran invites investment in agriculture, tourism

Calls for sharing of experiences in science and technology.

LAHORE: Iran has encouraged Pakistan’s business community to invest in its agriculture, tourism and metal industries, which offer a lot of opportunities.

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Friday, Iranian Consul General Muhammad Hussain Bani Assadi said both countries should also share their experiences in science and technology.

“The two countries have the potential to cater to each other’s needs provided the business community has the exposure to available opportunities,” he said.

He asked the business community to increase interaction to share their experiences in the larger interests of people.

He suggested that both the countries and their trade bodies should focus on expansion of trade by holding single-country exhibitions and through exchange of trade delegations.

It was the duty of the chambers of commerce of the two sides to ensure dissemination of sector-specific and trade-related information, he said.

LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said though a huge potential still remained untapped, the bilateral trade would get a boost as soon as the gas pipeline project got under way.

He pointed out that the two countries should conduct market research to further strengthen trade ties. “Priority should be given to each other for import of goods rather than buying from far-off countries,” he suggested.

He highlighted the areas where the scope of collaboration was huge. These included small and medium enterprises, onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration, hydropower and coal-based energy projects, paper and board, sugar, cement, chemicals, transport and communications, road construction, scientific and educational cooperation, handicrafts, artificial jewellery, carpets, fancy furniture, etc.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2012.