The trade between Pakistan and Iran may go up in the near future as the two countries seem to be seriously moving forward to increase bilateral trade. The Iranian government has indicated that Iranian preference was Pakistani products like rice, wheat and others commodities and the problems faced by Pakistani exporters while exporting goods to Tehran would be resolved soon.
These were expressed by Mr Ghobadi, Deputy Commerce Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran in a meeting with Secretary Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Javed Anwar Khan, along with leading exporters of rice and wheat here on the side line of the trilateral meetings of the heads of states of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, here on Thursday. Safdar Mehkri, Vice Chairman REAP and 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.
Secretary TDAP welcomed the honorable guest and introduced the officers of TDAP and exporters of rice and wheat.
The exporters 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.
Abdul Kaleem Baakza of Wheat Traders Association of Pakistan appraised the Deputy Iranian Commerce Minister about the quality of Pakistan’s rice and the availability wheat surplus in the country. He requested the Iranian government to facilitate the wheat exporters of Pakistan by removing administrative hurdles confronted by the sectors.
The Iranian Deputy Commerce Minister viewed the relationship between two brethren Islamic countries could go a long way in the presence of good railway, road and sea link. He ensured the exporters that Iranian preference is Pakistani rice and the problems identified by REAP members will be resolved.
Referring to the import of wheat, he highlighted 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 the import of wheat to be held on February 24, 2012.
He indicated the volume of trade between Pakistan and Iran would increase up to $10 bn and the outcome of this meeting would help in formulating appropriate trade policy for ensuring sustainable trade between the countries. The meeting was followed by informal talks between exporters and Iranian delegates.
