ISLAMABAD: Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Chief Executive S M Muneer is leading a 19-member trade delegation of major exporters in textile, leather, rice and agro products, tents and canvas, surgical instruments, gems and jewellery to Iran for the purpose of enhancing bilateral trade.
A meeting was held between TDAP Chief Executive Muneer, accompanied by Commercial Counsellor of Pakistan in Tehran Nazar Muhammad Ranjha along with other members of delegation, and Tehran Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Jahangiri and his team on August 23 in the Iranian capital, said a press release issued on Wednesday.
Jahangiri stated that the two countries enjoy good relations and want to increase trade in engineering. Both countries have population of more than 270 million and common border of 900km, cheap labour, natural resources and complementary economies. However, he said the present the level of economic relations was not satisfactory and there was a dire need to increase it. He said at present the volume of trade is only $830 million, adding that with sharing capacity of both the countries, we can achieve higher figures.
Recently, the Iranian president visited Pakistan and emphasised that trade volume between Iran and Pakistan should reach to $5 billion, which could happen only with the help of private sector. He said that in the past decade there were sanctions, but now sanctions were lifted and JCPOA has been signed. “We have achieved great success without bloodshed and war. Our brother Pakistan stood with us. Now we are beginning new round of cooperation,” he added.
Jahangiri said that we could extend trade, transportation, ports and start cooperation in power and electricity can play important role with Pakistan. Furthermore, he added, Pakistan could also export rice, mangoes and kinnos to Iran. He emphasised that it was critical to stop smuggling through proper planning and reduction in tariffs to fulfill all the formal legal requirements.
“On our side, Tehram chamber is the largest private entity and we will try our best for the removal of all types of barriers in order to promote Pak-Iran trade. All out efforts will be made to enhance investment and to facilitate the investors coming from Pakistan,” he added.
The TDAP chief Executive desired to arrange one single country exhibition in Karachi or Lahore. Jahangiri stated that as a member of the chamber, he would send the proposal to the concerned quarters and also follow up this proposal to organise the exhibition in Pakistan.
