Iranian entrepreneurs keen to boost trade in agriculture products with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Jan 23 (APP):A delegation of Iranian entrepreneurs here on Tuesday expressed their keen interest for developing strong trade relations with Pakistan in agriculture products.
The delegation of West Azerbaijan Province of Iran led by Behnam Tajodinni, Head of the Agriculture Commission of the Urmia Chamber of Commerce and Industry visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).
Speaking on the occasion, Behnam Tajodinni said that West Azerbaijan was the third largest province of Iran with one of the highest producers of agricultural commodities.
He said the province was producing annually 6 million ton fruits and vegetables, 1.2-million-ton apple, 380,000 ton grapes and 280,000 ton apricots with 326 cold storage facilities with storage capacity of 1 million tons.
He said the province was also on top in producing honey and was a hub of import and export activities in Iran. He said the province has great potential to promote cooperation in agriculture sector with Pakistan. He stressed that the agriculture sector businessmen of both countries should develop close cooperation to promote bilateral trade of agro products between Iran and Pakistan.
He said both countries should revise high tariffs on agriculture products to facilitate the entrepreneurs in further improving bilateral trade. He also invited ICCI delegation to visit Urmia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and explore new avenues of mutual cooperation with Iranian counterparts.
Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, ICCI said that Pakistan and Iran enjoyed good relations, but given the size of the economies of both countries, their bilateral trade was far below the actual potential.
He stressed that both countries should encourage frequent exchange of trade delegations and focus on organizing single country exhibitions on reciprocal basis to explore new areas of mutual collaboration.
He said despite signing a preferential trade agreement with Pakistan, Iran was maintaining high tariffs on many Pakistani products including textiles, clothing, leather goods, footwear, fruits & vegetables and rice which was a major hurdle.