ISLAMABAD: Board of Investment (BoI) Chairman Dr Miftah Ismail has said the construction of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline was top priority of the government as it would resolve the country’s energy crisis.
Addressing a ceremony of Pakistan-Iran Business Forum in Islamabad, he said Iranian President’s visit to Pakistan indicated importance of the bilateral relations. He further said that efforts were being made to transform non-formal trade into formal.
“There are ample opportunities of trade with Iran in petroleum, steel, and paper board products”, he said and added that government was trying to double the capacity of existing LNG terminal, while another terminal will be constructed at Gwadar. He said the government is also providing facilities for establishment of an oil refinery at Gwadar. Efforts are also underway to set up oil refineries at Karak and Kohat. Mohsen Jalalpour, president of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, headed Iranian delegation.
“The GDP growth rate of our economy is rising which is now 4.2% against previous year’s 4.0%”, he remarked.
Azhar Ali Chaudry, Secretary, BOI gave a detailed presentation on the occasion and highlighted the areas of cooperation with Iranians and invited them for investment in the available areas of cooperation i.e. power, oil & gas, infrastructure, automobile, textile, pharmaceutical, mines & mineral, agriculture & food processing, fruits & vegetable, milk, fisheries & seafood, halal meat & poultry.
