LAHORE: There is high demand for meat, dairy, livestock and textile in Iran and Pakistanis dealing in these areas must avail this opportunity, said Almas Hyder, senior vice president of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
After returning from Iran where he headed a 26-member delegation, Hyder said both countries needed to find ways to increase the volume of two-way trade.
“We are already exporting meat to Iran. Dairy can be another area to be explored for this purpose. The potential of two-way trade between Pakistan and Iran is estimated to be over $2 billion, but it can only materialise by making all-out efforts.”
Governments and private sectors of both countries should collaborate with each other regularly, he said, adding: “Iranians want the agreed gas pipeline between both countries to be connected soon. Iranian power companies can provide 5,000MW electricity to Pakistan, which roughly costs $1.5 billion to eliminate loadshedding from Pakistan.”
He said at the moment there was a limited air connectivity with Iran. There was a dire need for more flights between Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Tehran, Shiraz, Mashhad and Isfahan.
“We need assistance from airlines of both countries to build connection and their frequency to enable businessmen to travel. Road and rail links also need to be improved with neighbouring countries,” the LCCI official said.
He said direct shipping between Iran and Pakistan would also help boost mutual trade. He added the Iranian president had announced they wanted to enhance trade with Pakistan up to $5 billion, so the Pakistani side should take necessary steps. http://www.dawn.com/news/1243715/pakistan-must-benefit-from-trade-prospects-in-iran
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