Karachi —The trade volume between Pakistan and Iran would increase up to US$ 10 billion and discussion with Pakistan would help in formulating appropriate trade policy for ensuring sustainable trade between the two countries .

 

This was stated by Iranian Deputy Commerce Minister Mr Ghobadi in a meeting with Trade Deelopment Authoritymof Pakistan. The Iranian leader said that the relationship between two brethren Islamic countries could go a long way in the presence of good rail, road and sea link.

 

He ensured the exporters that Iranian preference is Pakistani Rice and the problems identified by the REAP members will be resolved. Referring to the import of wheat, he highlighted that Iranian market is quality conscious and import of Wheat will depend upon acceptability by their consumers. He advised the wheat traders to nominate a focal person for follow up meeting on import of Wheat to be held on 24th of Feb, 2012.

 

On the side line of the trilateral meetings of the heads of states of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, a meeting was held at TDAP on 23rd February 2012 between Deputy Commerce Minister Islamic Republic of Iran Mr. Ghobadi and Secretary Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Mr. Javed Anwar Khan along with exporters of Rice and Wheat.

 

Mr. Safdar Mehkri, Vice Chairman, REAP and Mr. Zahid W Khawaja, Member Executive Committee REAP highlighted the potential of Pakistan’s export surplus of Rice and identified the hurdles faced by their exporters while doing business with their Iranian counterparts. They requested the Iranian Deputy Commerce Minister to give preferential treatment to Pakistan’s rice by extending a zero import duty regime for Rice import from Pakistan under already signed PTA with any future change to it only after mutual agreement.

 

The trade also suggested for allowing Rice import from Pakistan as a fellow ECO member country by issuing Import Permit to all interested Rice importers in Iran without any restrictions.

 

The representatives of REAP also requested for the removal of requirement of Mujawaz. The trade supported the idea of Pak – Iran currency swap for the better trade relation between the two countries.
 

(Source:  pakobserver)