Pakistan, Iran vow to boost mutual trade to $2 billion

[A.Rafay]

LAHORE: The Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIM) and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) pledged on Thursday to boost mutual trade between Iran and Pakistan to $2 billion in a couple of years.

TCCIM President Yahya Al Eshagh, who was heading a 24-member strong Iranian business delegation, and LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to share resources and information and exchange business delegation. Later, addressing a press conference, TCCIM president said that trade volume between the two countries can go up to $3 billion to $4 billion in four years.

He said that during their visit, they had a number of fruitful meetings with business community of Pakistan. “We are impressed by the warm welcome given to us and practical wisdom of the business community here,” he added.

“We also had meetings with the government sectors, which showed keen interest to boost mutual economic ties,” he said.

He said that the Iranian delegation had held talks to increase mutual trade and investment in power, oil and gas, mining, food, petrochemicals, textile, leather, hides, meat and agriculture sectors. He hoped that the talks would yield positive results for both countries. “We also discussed with the Pakistani authorities the impediments in the way of boosting trade, which include transport, banking, customs, insurance problems,” he said.

Answering a question, the TCCIM president said, “Our enemies, including the US and some European countries, do not want Iran and Pakistan to increase mutual cooperation in economic sector and boost trade.” It is in the interest of both states to increase economic cooperation, because both have potential to meet each other’s need, he said. “Iran can help overcome the severe energy crisis in Pakistan by cooperating in the power and gas sectors. While Pakistan can also support Iran in many other sectors,” he said.

He said that Iran had made economic progress and enhanced its imports and exports despite the US and its allies’ pressure on some states not to have trade relations with Iran. The LCCI president said that a Pakistani business delegation would soon visit Iran, which would help enhance trade ties between the two states.

He said that a vast opportunity was available for Pakistani traders and investors in Iran in the fields of dairy, livestock, meat and beverages. “Iran is one of the world’s largest petrochemical producer in the world, so Pakistan can benefit from it,” he added.

He pointed out that the official trade between the two countries had decreased due to smuggling from the Qeutta border, especially in petrochemicals and plastics. He stressed the need to boost mutual trade between Iran and Pakistan, which would benefit both the countries.

“We should keep in mind our own national interests and enhance economic ties. We should not care for the international politics and succumb to pressure by any other country,” he said. He said, Pakistan is passing through hard times due to energy crisis, which has decreased our gross domestic product by 2.5 percent, adding that Iran’s cooperation was crucial in the energy sector.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[kollang]

its not expected from to brother country.Iran and Turkey have boosted mutual trade to 30 bl.

 

[Hope Loust II]

its not expected from to brother country.Iran and Turkey have boosted mutual trade to 30 bl.

The Difa Pakistan Council (DPC) often insists that Pakistan should not trade with India because of its evil intentions and hostility towards the Pakistan.

They observe that Pakistan has China, Afghanistan and Iran as neighbors besides India and so Pakistan should preferentially deal with them and not with India.

Even beyond the DPC, there is a general feeling in Pakistan that local trade should be directed toward these three friendly countries (i.e. China, Iran & Afghanistan) rather than towards India.

But are China, Iran & Afghanistan really neighboring countries to Pakistan?

1) The Political Maps, which is what most people are familiar with, say "YES":

2) However, the satelitte images taken at night, which most people have not seen, say "NO":

What do forum members think?

A) Is China really a neighboring country to Pakistan or is it more an East-Asian country neighboring Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Vietnam et cetera?

B) Is Iran really a neighboring country to Pakistan or is it more an West-Asian country neighboring Iraq, Syria, Turkey et cetera?

C) Is Afghanistan really our neighboring country or is it more a figment of somebody's imagination since it barely shows up on the satellite image shown above?

What are the various opinions (from Pakistanis, Chinese, Iranians, Indians and Afghans) on all this?

 

[A.Rafay]

1) The Political Maps, which is what most people are familiar with, say "YES":


2) However, the satelitte images taken at night, which most people have not seen, say "NO":

What do forum members think?

lol Maps dont say Yes or no to trade, China is a friend and we are trading And Cooperating With each other, We are improving relations and trade with India and There are alot of things happening Between Pakistan and India that you dont know, relations have improved with India and trade has increased So does that new Visa Thing!
Iran is a Brother Muslim Country and We are already trading with them and supporting them in Having Nuclear! we do barter trade with them and IP gas Pipeline Is our priority!
Pakistan is also investing millions in Afghanistan And rebuilding Schools And providing Assistance, Almost all of medicines, Cosmetics,Household products, Motorcycles in afghanistan Come from Pakistan!!! Were do you think the War hit country gets its Onions Tomatoes and Potatoes from ? Pakistan!!!