KARACHI:The organizers and business representatives visiting three-day international trade exhibition emphasized on more interaction and exchange of market information to increase Pakistan’s trade with other counties , especially within the region.
Besides Pakistani companies, many companies from Iran and Belarus displayed their products, which attracted big number of serious business visitors.
Talking to a group of reporters, on the last day, Economic Consul at Iranian Consulate in Karachi, Mahdi Amir Jafari, Leader of the Iranian delegation Saeed Dehghgani, Chairman of Pakistan Belarus Business Forum Shahzad Sabir and President, Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Fahad Hussain Shaikh described this trade event very important and helpful to promote the trade and economic cooperation among Pakistan, Iran and Belarus.
Iranian Economic Consul , Mahdi Amir Jafari, said both the governments were making serious efforts to increase trade between Iran and Pakistan, the two neighboring Muslim countries, having big trade and investment potential.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Trade and Investment, Abdul Razzak Dawood , during his recent visit to Iran, had very fruitful meetings with Iranian Ministers for Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Housing.
He said serious discussion was going on to form joint business council and, he hoped, it would be done in near future. And, he added, it would prove strong tool to further the bilateral trade.
Talks were also going on free trade and preferential trade agreements between Iran and Pakistan, which was need of the hour. This expo was as follow up of the Dawood’s visit, he said stressing on maximum participation of Iranian and Pakistani companies in the trade exhibitions on both sides.
He said fourteen Iranian companies participated in this expo and many others were willing to participate in all trade events of Pakistan.
About establishing the banking channel to promote trade between Iran and Pakistan, he said three banks of his country, which were not under restrictions, were ready to open their branches in Pakistan, if permitted by State Bank of Pakistan.
He said there was big demand for Pakistan’s fruits especially mango and kino, medical equipment, milk,meat, textile products and rice.
He said: “ Only in last season, Iran imported more than 5000 tones of Pakistani kino.” Iran had wide range of goods to sell to Pakistan, he added.
The Trade Consul said his country had over $ 70 billion foreign trade and Pakistan could get good share of it.
He said Iran gave great importance to strengthening economic, political and cultural ties with Pakistan. That is why, he continued, Iran had five diplomatic offices in Pakistan including Embassy in Islamabad and in all provincial capitals.
For checking informal trade, he said, both the governments should reduce the import duties.
Leader of Iran’s delegation, Saeed Dehghan underlined the need for identifying each other’s capacities of products.
He said the expo had received encouraging response from Pakistani business community.
Chairman, Pakistan Belarus Business Forum, Shahzad Sabir said 12 companies from Belarus had participated in this expo, which was in response to Pakistan 62-member business delegation’s recent visit to Belarus , led by Advisor to the Prime Minister on Trade and Investment, Abdul Razzak Dawood.
He said 3500 businesspersons visited the exhibition and many B2B meetings were held.
He said more cooperation in future between the two countries in many sectors.
President, Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Farhad Hussain Shaikh said there was big potential for cooperation in the two countries mainly in mining and tourism.
He said HCCI had planned to hold such an exhibition in Hyderabad soon, in which Iranian companies had assured to participate.