ISLAMABAD – A trade delegation from Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries,Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) in a meeting with its Pakistani counterpartdiscussed cooperation on economic ties including a free trade agreement(FTA) on some commodities.
The Iranian delegation criticized the low level of trade between the twosides and suggested taking serious measures like holding exhibitions,exchanging business delegations and the use of non-bank channels for moneytransfers, for boosting the trade between the two nations, reportedtccima.ir.
Led by TCCIMA Head Masoud Khansari, the delegation also visited Federationof Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), during which FPCCIPresident Mian Anjum Nisar said the level of economic relations between thetwo countries is not favorable considering the existing capacities andcultural ties.
“Although the two countries have signed a preferential trade agreement(PTA) a few years ago, none of them has used this opportunity properly,”Nisar said.
The US sanctions against Iran, he added, are major parts of the obstaclesto the development of economic cooperation between the two neighboringcountries, and both sides need to take serious measures to resolve suchproblems.
During the visit to Pakistan, the Iranian delegation also met with theChief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) ArifAhmed Khan in Karachi.
In the meeting, the two sides emphasized the need to use solutions such asthe preferential trade agreement, free trade agreement, and removingcustoms barriers for boosting trade relations between the two countries.
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Speaking in the event, the head of the Tehran chamber pointed out some ofthe obstacles in the way of the development of the two sides’ economiccooperation, noting that the annual trade between Iran and Pakistan doesnot exceed $1.5 billion.
Ahmad Khan for his part also said that both Iranian and Pakistaniauthorities should know that the development of trans-regional trade issubject to a boom in regional trade.
Therefore, along with the cultural, religious and geographicalcommonalities, the two countries must also take operational steps toimprove trade relations, he added.
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