Iran urges removal of hurdles to reach $10bn Pak-Iran trade target
QUETTA: The Iranian Consul General in Quetta, Mr. M. Karimi Toudeshki, stated that achieving the set bilateral trade goals between the brotherly Islamic countries, Pakistan and Iran, is not possible unless the obstacles hindering trade are seriously addressed. To achieve the $10 billion bilateral trade target, long-term mutual contacts, continuous discussions, and practical steps are urgently needed. He expressed these views during a meeting with the officers and members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quetta Balochistan.
During this occasion, the President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Quetta Balochistan, Haji Mohammad Ayub Mariani, Senior Vice President Haji Akhtar Kakar, and other officials stated that despite US and FATF sanctions, the promotion of Pak-Iran trade is an encouraging development; however, solving certain fundamental issues is essential for further improvement. The chamber’s representatives demanded that traders be exempted from personal interviews and other strict conditions in the visa issuance process. They also mentioned that the invoice verification fee is equivalent to a restriction on business and should be reduced or completely eliminated. Additionally, they requested that access to Iranian markets for goods exported from Pakistan be facilitated and that proposed and other unnecessary conditions be removed.
In the end, the participants expressed their commitment that if these obstacles are removed and mutual cooperation is established on a practical basis, the $10 billion bilateral trade target between Pakistan and Iran can certainly be achieved.
Iranian Consul General M. Karimi Toudeshki stated that Pakistan and Iran have had historical and traditional trade relations. However, due to the lack of infrastructure, absence of facilities, and the non-implementation of bilateral agreements, a decline in bilateral trade has been observed. He emphasized that it is time to move beyond statements and take practical measures.
Mr. Karimi Toudeshki also pointed out that both short-term and long-term planning are essential for promoting bilateral trade. Due to legal and other issues in the free trade zones of both countries, there is an imbalance that needs to be urgently addressed through effective measures to ensure trade balance. He mentioned that the role of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quetta Balochistan is crucial in promoting Pak-Iran bilateral trade. Agreements made during the Joint Border Trade Committee meetings must be fully implemented, and future meetings should avoid making agreements on issues that are not feasible. He stressed that it is time to focus on practicality instead of just discussions.
The Iranian Consul General announced that any Pakistani businessman who sets up an industry in Iran will be provided with a five-year residency permit, along with other facilities. He assured that practical steps would be taken to resolve the issues identified by the officers and members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quetta Balochistan. At the end of the meeting, commemorative shields were exchanged. Staff Report
