Pakistan, Iran agree to use CPEC for mutual benefit

Islamabad: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to use the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for mutual benefit.

Pakistan and Iran held the 21st session of Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission (JEC). The JEC aimed to strengthen mutual cooperation.

On the occasion, Pakistani Federal Minister for Commerce, Syed Naveed Qamar said that Iran and Pakistan would give final shape to the proposed bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the coming six months.

He mentioned that Pakistan looked to the Iranian market and Iranian investors as it offered very friendly trade and investment environment in Special Economic and Industrials Zones under the CPEC.

In addition, the purpose of agreement on International transport between Pakistan and Iran aims to facilitate trade traffic from Turkey to Pakistan through Iran, while Iranian goods and passengers can have access to China through Pakistan.

The Iranian delegation was led by Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran Rostam Ghasemi while the Pakistani delegation was headed by Federal Minister for Commerce of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Syed Naveed Qamar.

In an atmosphere full of friendship, understanding and willingness to develop mutual cooperation, both sides reviewed the provisions of Agreed Minutes of the 20th Meeting of the Joint Economic Cooperation Commission signed in Tehran on 17-18 April 2017.

The technical session, held on 17th of August, was facilitated by Ministry of Economic Affairs and was attended by representatives from various ministries.

During the technical session, numerous items were discussed and provided a platform to the delegations from both sides for consultation, debate and discussion.

The areas include: Trade, Commerce and Investment, Banking, Customs, Tax Affairs, Industries and Production, Export Guarantees, Railways, Air Transportation, Airports, Maritime, Roads and Communication, Education, Information Broadcasting, Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunications, Livestock, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, Crisis Management, Labor and Social Welfare, Energy, Petroleum and Natural Resources, Water, Agriculture, Health and Environment.

During the JEC’s closing ceremony, held on Thursday evening, Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar stated that Pakistan attributes high importance to the relations with its brotherly neighboring nation, Islamic Republic of Iran.

The minister informed that enough agreements had been signed between both nations, now is the time to work hard for their successful implementation.” He also highlighted that the Quetta-Taftan Road was trafficable, however for further improvement of roads, various projects were undertaken.

The Minister also expressed the need of making visa conditions easier to facilitate the Pakistani traders and visitors.

Furthermore, he assured his counterpart that Pakistan was committed to take all possible measures to increase the bilateral trade volume.

To increase the bilateral trade, an additional border crossing point at Gabd (near to Gwadar)-Reemdan has recently been operationalized by Pakistan.

Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran Rostam Ghasemi expressed gratitude and honor to the Federal Minister for Commerce as well as Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for hosting his delegation to discussed areas of collaboration in enhancing cooperation.

He appreciated the hard work by both sides of delegation to make this session successful and invited the Pakistani side to Tehran for 22nd Session of JEC to be held in next year.

The Iranian Minister apprised his counterpart that Iran strongly belief in further cooperation and enhancement of relations by improving regional pragmatic method to increase opportunity for enhancing bilateral relations.