RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost said on Monday that Pakistan and Iran had old history and were culturally, historically, linguistically and religiously attached with each other.
While visiting Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in Rawalpindi, the envoy said that Pakistan Iran India gas pipeline project needed to be reactivated adding that they had signed preferential trade agreement and it was operational since September 2006.
The ambassador said there were tremendous opportunities to improve trade relations between the two countries.
Pakistan he said was facing energy crisis and Iran with its electricity and gas was ready to help Pakistan to meet its energy shortage through cheap Iranian gas.
He said his government wanted to reactivate bilateral trade relations and a joint commission was working to finalize the draft of a Free trade agreement.
The Envoy said Iran was a big market and Pakistani goods enjoyed a good reputation and value in the Iranian market.
There was big demand of Pakistani basmati Rice, he added.
He said since lifting of the sanctions, our oil industry would get a boom and we would need skilled workers from Pakistan.
We are improving the banking channels to address issues of LC and air links with direct flights between Tehran and Islamabad.
He emphasized on improved relationship between the chambers of the two countries.
Mehdi Honardoost said that Iran was keen to further strengthen relations with Pakistan, which were mutually beneficial to the people of both the countries.
