SAEDNEWS: Officials from both Iran and Pakistan highlighted the need for finalizing a free trade agreement and bolstering connectivity.
Iran and Pakistan convened a high-level business forum in Islamabad on Sunday, attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials, aimed at bolstering bilateral trade ties and finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The event, hosted by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, brought together a large number of business leaders, chamber of commerce officials, and top investors from Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, delivering the opening remarks, welcomed the progress towards finalizing the FTA text, saying both countries are working on resolving tariff issues and enhancing border infrastructure to facilitate trade.
He highlighted the activation of the Pishin-Mand border market as a joint commitment to increasing trade volume and announced plans to open a new border crossing at Chadgi-Kuhak to further improve connectivity.
Kamal Khan praised the Iranian president’s visit as a significant milestone and revealed that the next session of the Iran-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission is scheduled to be held in Tehran next month.
Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade, Mohammad Atabak, also addressed the forum, expressing gratitude for Pakistan’s support during Israel’s recent 12-day military offensive.
He said that cooperation documents signed during the presidential summit could usher in a new phase of trade relations between the two neighbors.
Atabak noted that while bilateral trade had increased over the past year, the full realization of ongoing agreements would require upgrades to land terminals, expansion of rail transport, and enhanced port collaborations.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s invitation to Iranian investors to explore business opportunities under the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).
He also emphasized the need for intensified cooperation in customs operations and border infrastructure, following his discussions with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi on Saturday.
