TEHRAN (Iran News) – A member of board of directors of Pakistan-Iran Joint Chamber of Commerce says Iran’s schedule for exports to Pakistan has not been materialized and Pakistan’s action for fencing the border with Iran has no impact on the both countries’ official trade.
Speaking to ILNA, Mahmoud Tohidast said that Iran can even export $30b of goods to Pakistan but currently Iran’s export volume to Pakistan is between $900m to $1.3 but currently the country has been unable to materialize its export target to Pakistan.
On Pakistan’s decision to fence its border with Iran, he said that fencing is mostly because of the security issue and stopping the bandits who create security problems for both countries and for this reason Pakistan has decided to fence its border. He noted that the fencing may affect smuggling but it will have no effect on lawful trade through the official avenues.
Tohidast admitted that there is no bank in Pakistan for banking transactions with Pakistan and for this reason most of the trades are done on the bartering basis, admitting that those who import the goods legally will see no problem because of the fencing but the fencing will affect the illegal imports.
On determining a bank for trade transactions between the two countries, he said that for years there have been talks on fixing a bank for this matter but it has not been materialized yet and it seems high-ranking officials are not serious.
Tohidast reiterated that if the special economic zone of Mirjaveh which is in its last stages or any other free zone is launched in Sistan, one bank from Iran and one from Pakistan can open branches in this special zone to resolve the problem of money transfer.
He noted that all measures for the launch of the special economic zone of Mirjaveh have been taken and it is in its last stages and by its launch, many problems of Iranian and Pakistan traders will be resolved.
On the problems in way of exports to Pakistan, he said Iran can even boost its exports to Pakistan to $30bbut unfortunately the volume of exports to this country is between $900 to $1.3b and the target has not been materialized.
He blamed banking transactions as the major hurdle in way of trade between Iran and Pakistan and in case it is resolved, the exports to Pakistan will increase considerably.
Tohidast also pointed to the significance of railway between Zahedan and Mirjaveh and expressed hope the government would invest on this railway because it will resolve transportation problems in the region and will help the economy of the region to pick-up.
He added that Iran can imports its basic goods via this important railway and the government should have investment on this project on its agenda.
