LAHORE: Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost has expressed optimism Pak-Iran trade will touch new heights commensurate with their respective potential.
Speaking to executive body members of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Friday, he said Iran and Pakistan have some most important achievements from the recent visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Pakistan which has also started a new era of cordial relations between the two countries.
"Iran and Pakistan are brother countries and their friendship should be translated into the mutual economic ties as well, adding that lack of trade-related information was one of the biggest reasons of low trade volume."
He said that Chambers of Commerce & Industry of both countries should play role in this regard.
Mehdi Honardoost said that Iranian businessmen were keen to enhance business with their Pakistani counterparts, therefore, they should come forward and start joint ventures with their Iranian counterparts.
He said Iran was ready to fulfill the growing energy needs of Pakistan. He said doors were open and Iranian Embassy in Pakistan would extend all possible facilities to Pakistani businessmen interested in doing business with Iran.
LCCI Senior Vice President Almas Hyder mentioned that soon after lifting of sanctions, a high-powered trade delegation of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry visited Iran and found there was a vast scope of cooperation in textile, fruit, vegetables and meat sectors of Iran. He said two delegations would also visit Iran next month May to explore trade & investment opportunities.
He said Iran has an urgent requirement of our textile products including T-Shirts, Denim Jeans and Home Textiles. "Demand for meat was equally high. We must build capacity of our meat processing facilities to cater their requirements," he said.
He said Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between two countries was signed several years ago. It needs to be activated. Special Economic Zones on Pakistan-Iran borders may be set up to increase formal trade. He said that long term multiple entry visas should be issued to businessmen of both the countries for the promotion of bilateral trade.
The LCCI Vice President Nasir Saeed suggested that a high level delegation from government and trade bodies of Pakistan should be sent to Iran regularly. He urged the Pakistani companies to display their products in Iran Exhibition. He said all the three Chambers agreed to help us to do a Single Country Exhibition in Tehran, and if possible for us, in other cities also.
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