Mehr News Agency

Talking to Iran Daily in Quetta of Baluchistan Province, Abdul Wadood Achakzai said Pakistani rice is of better quality than the Indian product adding that Pakistani rice can have a bigger share in the Iranian market.

The official also called for facilitating exports from Pakistan to Iran and hoped the 30-percent reduction in tariffs rate would be implemented soon.

He pointed to preferential trade agreement (PTA) between Iran and Pakistan and said talks are underway with officials to include Pakistani rice in the list of PTA items.

The official said both countries are working on free trade agreement (FTA) which can help the private sector.

Achakzai further said mango, rice and textile products are the main exports to Iran while the main imports from Iran include petrochemical products, electricity and liquefied natural gas.

He said that his office is working with its Iranian provincial counterpart at Zahedan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture to extend border markets.

“I had meetings with Abdolhakim Rigi, the head of Zahedan chamber in Quetta and Zahedan on development of border markets,” Achakzai said.

A participant in the Quetta Chamber Of Commerce and Industry meeting, Ajmal Khan Achakzai from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority affiliated to Ministry of Industries and Production of Pakistan said his country needs more Iranian oil and gas products to develop its industry.

He hoped to import Iranian oil and gas products at reduced rates by lowering transit prices.

The official said that Iran-Pakistan trade currently stands at $1.2 billion of which about $400 million pertains to Pakistan’s exports to Iran.

He said that both countries have planned to increase the annual trade turnover to $5 billion.

Last week, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York discussed strengthening of relations between the two countries.

The premier said while pursuing a policy of good neighborliness, Pakistan is committed to strengthening relations with Iran.

Reaffirming Iran’s commitment to strengthen ties with Pakistan, Rouhani underlined that both countries should work closely in the areas of border management, trade and investment.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Quetta, Baluchistan was established in 1972.

There are 42 pioneering members who initially took part in the process. The chamber was registered with Directorate of Trade Organization, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad under Section 3 of the Trade Organization Ordinance, 1961 on March 12, 1973 with their Memorandum and Article of Association published and registered.