Iran, Pakistan strategically vital for each other: Elahi
13 February, 2012
LAHORE: Senior Federal Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Sunday said that Iran and Pakistan were strategically very important to each other and there was an urgent need to increase the volume of trade between the two countries. The minister was talking to Iranian Consul General Husain Saeed Bani Asadi, who called on him at his residence. He said there were bright chances of enhancing trade in livestock, textile, furniture, rice, fresh fruit and meat. He urged the prominent traders of both the countries to come forward with proposals to eliminate barriers and improve regional coordination to enhance the trade links between the two countries. The need was to explore more land routes and a common railway line to enhance bilateral trade, he added. The minister said the overall trade volume between the two neighbours was worth $300 million that needed to be increased on immediate basis. Speaking on the occasion, the Iranian consul general said the trade between Iran and Pakistan should be increased and the government of Iran welcomed any steps taken by the traders of both the countries in this regard. The trade between the two countries had reached an acceptable level, but considering the potential of the two countries, this volume was surely unsatisfactory and needed to be increased, the consul general added. He said Pakistan and Iran were Muslim neighbours and the relations between the two countries would continue to grow. Small And Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Yousaf Naseem Khokhar, Utility Stores Corporation Senior General Manager Sultan Chaudhry, Export Processing Zone General Manger Saadat Cheema, GM Sikander and Zia Rizvi were also present on the occasion. End.
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