Visit of Iranian President a great opportunity for Pakistan: FPCCI

ISLAMABAD, March 24:The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Thursday said business community is pinning high hopes on the two-day visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Pakistan.
The visit will be beginning of a new era by strengthening bilateral relations, particularly after lifting of the sanctions on Iran that has opened new avenues for enhancing economic interaction, it said.
Bilateral trade between two brotherly countries is far from satisfactory which can improve as a result of the high profile visit, said Abdul Rauf Alam, President FPCCI.
Mr. Rouhani’s is expected to promote exports of electricity, natural gas, crude oil and other petroleum products and discuss gas pipeline to connect Iran and Pakistan, he added.
He said that construction on the 1,800-kilometre pipeline on the Iranian side is largely completed while work on the Pakistan side hasn’t started due to sanctions despite inauguration in in March 2013 which is unfortunate.
Rauf Alam said that Pak-Iran trade which was once over a billion dollar has reduced to almost none but after the visit and subsequent agreements it can go up to one billion dollars within one year.
Strengthening economic links with Iran is in the interest of Pakistan and whole regions, he said, adding that it would pave way for cooperation on regional and international issues.
The FPCCI president said that we highly value ties with Iran which is a close friend and a neighbour and looking forward for resumption of commercial and economic ties between our countries.
Revival of economy and overcoming the energy shortfall are high-priority areas which can be tackled with the help of Tehran for achieving economic stability and development which is linked with stability in the region, he observed.
He informed that the guest will address the business community after arrival, a meeting of Pak-Iran Business forum to be attended by top officials from both countries will be held, Apex chambers of commerce of both countries will sign MOU to establish Pakistan-Iran chamber of Commerce and business-to-business meetings will be held. -Online