Bilateral trade prospects discussed

LAHORE: Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, on Monday called for strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran to enhance trade, during an interactive session with the business community at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Office Lahore.

Tipu further said the trade bodies of Pakistan and Iran should strengthen bilateral relations further, which will promote bilateral trade. We are working on institutionalizing barter trade with both countries. Iran is trading with other neighboring countries; trade with Pakistan is also possible, for which we have to make positive efforts. Iran's big investors also want to invest in Pakistan.

The envoy shared the highlights of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's recent visit to Pakistan and enlightened the Pakistani business community on new trade opportunities. He emphasized that this visit signifies the strong bonds between the two nations and the alignment of their authorities in various aspects. FPCCI regional chairman and vice president Zaki Aijaz said that Pakistan and Iran have great scope for promoting bilateral trade. Regional trade is of great importance, and it needs increased time.

He said that despite Pakistan and Iran's strong ties of friendship and brotherhood, bilateral trade is not justified. The business community is facing transportation, tariff and non-tariff bearers, banking channels, and currency problems, he added.