Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Junaid Altaf called for the launch of joint ventures, exchange of business delegations, holding of single-country exhibitions, and greater utilization of each other's potential to enhance trade between Pakistan and Iran. He made these remarks during a visit by Iranian Consul General in Peshawar Ali Banafsheh Khah to the chamber.
Promotion of Joint Ventures and Investment Opportunities
The meeting discussed promoting joint ventures in sectors of mutual interest, exploring investment opportunities and industrial collaboration, and exchanging business delegations to identify potential areas of cooperation. Participants emphasized strengthening business-to-business (B2B) linkages to enhance bilateral trade.
Simplified Visa Regime and Long-Term Business Visas
Stakeholders stressed the need for a simplified and expedited visa regime for genuine businesspersons and the facilitation of long-term multiple-entry business visas to encourage trade and investment activities.
Signing of MoUs with Iranian Business Institutions
The meeting also called for signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Iranian business institutions to facilitate information sharing, trade promotion, and investment cooperation.
Iranian Consul General Highlights Strong Ties
Ali Banafsheh Khah, accompanied by Dr Mian Iftikhar Hussain, his wife Ms Nirgas Alishagai, First Counsellor Mohammad Hassan Moazami, and translator Fazal Azim, highlighted the importance of Pakistan-Iran trade relations. He said Iran and Pakistan are bound by strong traditional, commercial, and cultural ties and added that his country is keen to further strengthen relations with Pakistan.
Call for Joint Action Plan to Address Trade Issues
Junaid Altaf said the business community is eager to enhance bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran. He urged both governments to formulate a joint action plan and take concrete initiatives to address tariffs, duties, and other trade-related issues so that concerns of business communities on both sides can be resolved and economic relations further strengthened.
Hope for New Opportunities After Peace Agreement
The diplomat expressed hope that, following the signing of the peace agreement, new opportunities would emerge to further expand trade and economic cooperation between Iran and Pakistan.
