There is dire need to increase the volume of trade between Iran and Pakistan as the both countries are strategically very important to each other.

 

President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Haji Ghulam Ali said on Tuesday while addressing a function organized by FPCCI in the honor of Iranian delegation.

 

He said to enhance the trade links between Iran and Pakistan, the prominent traders of both the countries should come forward with different proposals to eliminate the trade barriers and improve regional coordination.

 

"We welcome the decision of Iran regarding the opening of the biggest commercial bank in Pakistan," he said.

 

The need is to explore more land routes and a common railway line between the two countries in order to enhance the bilateral trade, he added.

 

Chairman Pak-Iran Business Council, Tariq Sayeed said on the occasion that the overall trade volume between Iran and Pakistan is worth U.S. $ 300 million that needs to be increased on immediate basis.

 

"We need to increase our exports and make essential arrangements to reduce smuggling", the Chairman said.

 

He emphasized that the government of Iran should reduce the duty on our textile exports and there should be an end to the restrictions imposed by the Iranian government on the import of Pakistani Citrus.

 

"We welcome the Iranian government's decision regarding the exhibition of our industrial sector's products that would enhance the regional cooperation," he said.

 

"The project of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline needs to be completed on urgent basis that would eliminate the current energy crisis in Pakistan", Tariq Sayeed said.

 

Deputy Minister and Head of Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, Safdal said that the trade between Iran and Pakistan should be increased and the government of Iran welcomes any step taken by the traders of both the countries in this regard.

 

(Source: APP)