Iran ready to complete Pak- Iran gas pipeline projects: Ambassador Hosseini

ISLAMABAD, Sep 6 (APP):Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Hosseini on Tuesday said the Iranian government is ready to complete the gas pipeline between Pakistan and Iran to enhance cooperation in the energy sector.Iran wants full cooperation with Pakistan in gas and other sources of energy, he said.

In Interview to the APP here, he said that to further strengthen mutual economic and trade cooperation with Pakistan, completion of the energy projects, especially the Iran gas pipeline, progress in the establishment of border market, finalization of free trade agreement, knowledge-based bilateral Promoting economic cooperation, joint cooperation of the major ports of the two countries and mutual cooperation in other security fields is a major factor of great importance.

The Ambassador said that there are many opportunities for investment between Iran and Pakistan in various trade sectors including industrial zones, and there are plenty of opportunities for Pakistani investors in the industrial zone.

The Iranian Ambassador said that the comprehensive role of both countries for regional economic and trade integration and the North-South and East-West Corridors will not only connect Pakistan to Iran, but will also provide Pakistan with trade and economic integration to Central Asia, Europe, Middle East and Russia.

He said that the two countries are making joint efforts to achieve the target of enhancing the mutual trade to $5 billion on both sides and further discussions are also going on.
He said that Pakistan and Iran are geographically very important countries, mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Iran is very important to make their geostrategic location useful for the geo-economic interests of both countries.

The ambassador said that our government is fully prepared to complete the gas pipeline between Pakistan and Iran.

The ambassador of Iran said and added that there are no sanctions on Iran’s gas and “we are fully ready to cooperate with Pakistan in the field of energy.”

In this regard, the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline is a factor of great importance, which both countries realize.

He said that the completion of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline will fulfill the energy needs of Pakistan, which will open new avenues for mutual cooperation between the two countries.
He said that the matter of Pak Iran ‘Gas Pipeline’ is with the technical committee and the very important project will be finalized.

Apart from this, Iran has exporting 100 megawatts of electricity to Pakistan for meeting their electricity needs, which will be further increased in the future.

Ambassador Hosseini said that apart from this, work is going on another project to provide electricity to Pakistan, for which initial steps have been taken by both sides.

Apart from this, he said that there is a possibility of implementation of banking channel in both countries in the near future, but despite this, we can find ways for mutual economic partnership and trade.

He said that barter trade between the two countries can be promoted as we have the example of mutual trade in rice and meat.

While discussing the movement on the Pakistan-Iran border and the promotion of mutual trade on both sides, the Iranian ambassador said that new crossing points have been opened on the Pakistan-Iran border.

He said that border crossing points will facilitate transit trade and movement of people and in this regard both the countries are committed to the principle of more facilities on the border.

Apart from this, six border markets have been decided in principle for the promotion of mutual trade relations and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Iran, of which work on the Pishin border market has been completed and its inauguration ceremony is going on.

The Ambassador further said that the work on Gabd, Rimdan and Kohak border markets will start soon to increase the bilateral border trade between two neighboring countries.

He said that work has started on these three priority border markets which will be completed soon to flourish the bilateral trade between both sides.

Meanwhile, while discussing the Proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Iran, he said that several rounds of negotiations on the FTA between the two countries have taken place and it will be finalized.

He said that mutual trade lists have been exchanged on FTA and there is consensus on trade items list in both countries.

Meanwhile, the Iranian ambassador said that the Preferential Trade Agreement was signed between Pakistan and Iran in March 2004, on which both countries need to review it and make its implementation more effective.

Apart from this, there is a need for Tariff rationalization regarding mutual trade between the two countries, in which the volume of mutual trade can be increased through reform.
He said that with this initiative, the volume of mutual trade between the two countries is likely to reach $5 billion, which will also promote regional trade.

Meanwhile, discussing the promotion of regional trade and the role of both countries in this regard, the Iranian ambassador said that transit and transport have a very important role in this regard and the Pakistan-Iran-Turkey train link has been restored.

The Ambassador said that this tripartite train link will not only promote economic and trade relations between the three countries but also increase regional economic and trade integration.
The governments of the three countries have agreed to equip the train route with facilities, which will promote mutual trade and goods trade operation, he said.

He said that the Taftan and Quetta train section needs to be repaired and there is a consensus in both countries on this.

He said that the train between Pakistan, Iran and Turkiya can play a very important role in regional trade integration and can connect Central Asia, Middle East and Europe economically and commercially.

He said that Iran’s expertise in train and wagon production is very important in which both countries can work together.

He said that Iran has special expertise in the field of transportation, which is very important for transit trade.

In response to a question, he said that direct air connectivity in Tehran, Islamabad and other big cities is very important for the promotion of mutual relations on both sides.

Meanwhile, he said that there is a lot of potential in religious tourism in both countries and the people of Pakistan want to go to Iran for pilgrimage.

He expressed the hope of the possibilities of Open VISA in both the countries, which will allow them to freely enter the two countries.

He said that e-commerce trade is very important to involve the young population of both countries in the promotion of economic and trade relations.

Apart from this, mutual cooperation between the business chambers and the community of the two countries is a factor of great importance, which will promote relations on both sides.