TEHRAN, Apr 22 (INP) Iran Minister of Economy and Finance has said that in light of high trade potentials of the two countries, the current one billion trade balance can reach $5 billion between Pakistan and Iran.
Ali Tayyebnia made the remarks in a meeting with Pakistani commerce minister Khorram Dastgir Khan.
He said that he was pleased with success of the two countries’ Joint Economic Commission in expansion of economic relations and trade ties, expressing hope that effective steps will be taken soon to implement the agreements reached by the commission.
Highlighting the role of peace and stability in boosting the trade ties in the region, he said that broad cooperation between Iran and Pakistan can play a decisive role in strengthening the regional peace and stability.
The Iranian minister said that Iran considers no limits for expansion of comprehensive ties with Pakistan, highlighting the great significance of border trade to boost ties.
Khorram Dastgir Khan said that he appreciates consultation with his Iranian counterpart and said that the two counties economy ministries should devise mechanisms and strategies aimed at boosting the two countries’ trade volume.
‘When we speak about intimacy and solidarity in commerce field with Iran we do not merely mean import and export of goods, but think about making investments in the field of road and air transport and even telecommunications in a broader framework of bilateral relations,’ Khorram Dastgir Khan added.
Iran’s Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade, Valiollah Afkhamirad during meeting with Khurram Dastgir called for adopting preferential tariffs to regulate trade with Pakistan.
Afkhamirad told the Commerce Minister that organizing exclusive fairs in Iran and Pakistan will play effective role to boost trade ties.
The two officials attending the preliminary meeting of the 7th session of Iran-Pakistan Commerce Committee, reviewed ways to enhance level of trade and commerce relations.
They discussed enlarging list of goods covered by the preferential tariffs agreement and agreed to exchange of list of new items in the future through joint commission.
Pakistan is the fifth Iranian trade partner and annual trade stood at $1 billion as of 2009.