BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 4. Iran considers
Pakistan a long-term strategic partner in trade, industry, and
economy.
This was reported by the Iranian Ministry of Industry, Mines and
Trade, citing Iranian Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Seyed
Mohammad Atabek's remarks at the 10th meeting of the Iran-Pakistan
Joint Trade Committee held in Pakistan.
“Tehran sees no limitations in comprehensively developing
cooperation with Islamabad. Iran and Pakistan can use mutual
potential to develop regional cooperation, enhance ties with ports
and border trade,” he noted.
The minister said that the post-war situation has created
opportunities for the two neighboring countries to increase
solidarity in the region, facilitate bilateral trade relations, and
mutually satisfy their needs.
“The goal is to increase the current annual trade turnover
between Iran and Pakistan by $10 billion. Currently, a preferential
trade agreement is being implemented between Iran and Pakistan. It
is hoped that the two countries will move towards free trade by
increasing the number of products within the framework of this
agreement,” he noted.
Atabek also noted that the potential of ports and shared borders
can be an important point to help increase the volume of joint
trade through imports and exports. Iran is ready to develop
maritime cooperation with Pakistan and use the potential of the
Karachi and Gwadar ports. In turn, Iran's borders have significant
potential to increase bilateral trade with Pakistan.
He added that the strong will and mutual relations between Iran
and Pakistan aim to strengthen the private sector, investment,
border, and regional cooperation.
The 10th meeting of the Joint Trade Committee between Iran and
Pakistan is being held in Islamabad from August 3-5.
