SCCI seeks preferential market access to Iran

The Sarhard Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has sought preferential market access to Iran because its local manufactured products are inaccessible despite proximity of borders, whereas Indian products are more in use in the Iranian market.
It said that a bilateral trade mechanism should be sorted out to grow present volume of exports and imports between the two brotherly countries Pakistan and Iran. It called for broadening co-relation of banking sector to afford viability of maximum opportunities for boosting trade and commerce ties between the two countries.
Both countries should also work out indispensable border of Zahidaan-Tuftan routes to enhance trade relations, whereas the railway linkage should strength, instead of relying on Bandar Abbas sea route. These matters were discussed during a visit of acting Iranian Consul General in Peshawar Hassan G Darvish Vand to Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) here on Friday. Executive committee members, industrialists and traders were present on the occasion.
President of SCCI, Afan Aziz presented a four-point proposal for boosting trades between Pakistan and Iran. He said that the Pakistan's products were inaccessible in Iranian market despite proximity of border area. He pointed out that traders were finding it very difficult to transact through Dubai in absence of Iranian banks operation. Aziz also proposed exchange of trade delegations and exhibitions for promotion of mutual trade. He added that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could benefit from Iran expertise in gas exploration.
The Iranian Consul General said that trade ratio between Pakistan and Iran, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was very thin. He said that current exports and imports volume between the two states stood at Rs 12 billion, out which Rs 200 million are exports from Pakistan. He said that total $1.2 billion Iran trade includes $700 million exporting oil products and rest of $300 million for other commodities to Pakistan.
He said that KP trade share to Iran was very negligible. A mutual understanding had been reached between head of Isfahan province of Iran and Chief Minister of KP Ameer Haider Khan Hoti during latter's visit to Iran, which would helpful to promote trade ties between the two provinces.
Referring to Pakistan's present energy crisis, he said that Iran is generating additional 5000 mw electricity. Pakistan faces shortfall of same quantity f electricity. He said that the Iranian government is ready to fulfil requirement of electricity, but the investment and political will are needed for passing on benefit to ease miseries of people of Pakistan.
Hassan Darwish said that Iran will extend 1000 mw electricity within a few months to meet energy demand in the Pakistan. About the Tuftan Zahidaan rail route, he said that Quetta to Tuftan railway linkage is in a shambles and pathetic condition, which is not possible to maintain because Pakistan Railway is facing enormous financial crisis. Similarly, he said the air service between Iran and Pakistan is not promising, which needs to increase flights operation between the two brotherly states.
Categorising Iran's export to different sector of Pakistan, he said that the about Rs 3 billion exports comprise textile, whereas fruit and meat exports volume is nearly Rs one billion to each sector. He expressed hope that Iran gas pipeline project would be initiated by the end of 2014. Responding to suggestion of SCCI chief, he said that most of trade related issues have been resolved by mutual consensus between heads of both countries. He said that the pending relevant issues would also be addressed very shortly.