FAISALABAD: Mohammad Hussain Bani Asadi, Consul General, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lahore Monday said that annual meeting of Pak-Iran Joint Economic Commission would be held in Tehran immediately after the holy month of Ramzan in which tariff related issues between the two countries would be resolved.
Addressing a meeting of businessmen at Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), he said that the sanctions imposed on Iran has altogether changed and now we have to fully exploit the post sanction opportunities.
He mentioned the brotherly, friendly, religious, diplomatic and cultural relations with Pakistan but noted with concern that these had not been fully translated into economic terms.
Appreciating the official visit of Iranian President Hasan Rohani, he said that he was optimistic to enhance Pak-Iran trade up to five billion dollars but according to his personal view this target is just a peanut for a huge market of 300 million people.
Continuing, he said that trade delegation of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry had visited Iran.
Similarly, FCCI can also send it's delegation to Iran to explore and exploit the available trade opportunities.
He said that Iran is a big market for textile products. Hence the exporters belonging to Faisalabad should exploit it. He also stressed the need for exchange of bilateral trade delegations and hold exhibitions on reciprocal basis.
He said that some Pakistani businessmen are already working in Iran.
Some of them have also launched joint ventures in collaboration with the Iranian counterparts.
Responding to a question, he said that Pakistan and Iran had inked MOUs but we failed to fully harvest its benefits.
He told that Iran has completed 900 kilometers gas pipeline up to its border.
Similarly Iran is supplying 300 MW of electricity to Pakistan while two MOUs have been signed to provide 3000 to 5000 MW of electricity.
About visa problems, he said that single entry visa can be issued jut within one or two days while on the recommendations of FCCI multiple visas from six months to one year can also be issued.
To yet another question, he said that Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan has got order for export of 3000 metric tons of rice but export of wheat is not possible because of its infestation.
Earlier, in his address of welcome President FCCI Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz said that being hub of textile Faisalabad can make textile related exports to Iran.
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