PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced to facilitate the provincial and Iran’s trade and commerce bodies to boost the bilateral economic ties.
This was stated by KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, while talking to the acting Consul General of Iran in Peshawar, Homayoun Amirkhalili, who called on him at CM Secretariat.
Khattak said that the close trade ties between Iran and government of Pakistan in general and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular are in the larger interest of both countries. He said that exchange of chambers of commerce and industries and other trade bodies’ delegations between Iran and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will also be encouraged for this purpose.
Iranian initiatives in this regard will also help improve broader regional economic cooperation and stability, Khattak said.
The chief minister welcomed lifting of international economic sanctions against Iran in the backdrop of recently signed nuclear treaty with the European countries. He said that Iran has entered into new era of economic progress and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will also prefer to revive its traditional economic, trade and cultural relations with neighbouring Iran.
Apprising the Iranian Consul General of investment opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khattak said that the province carries great potential both for local and foreign investors particularly in energy (hydro power, oil and gas) production, mineral and tourism sectors besides availability of tremendous trade prospects. He said that security situation has improved now considerably in the province and provision of foolproof security to foreign investors was an essential part of the provincial government’s investment policy.
The Iranian Consul General on this occasion also emphasised for revitalisation of the traditional bilateral relations between KP and Iran especially in trade and economic sectors. He hoped that lifting of international sanctions against Iran will help further improve trade and economic ties between Iran and Pakistan.
He told that central leadership of both countries had already agreed to enhance the bilateral trade volume up to $500 billion from the existing $300 million. Referring to present KP government progress and commitments he offered cooperation in energy and flood protection sectors.
