IP gas pipeline vital project for Pakistan's energy needs: Iran Envoy

Mehdi Honardoost said this during a meeting with Pakistani Minister for Commerce and Textile Muhammad Pervaiz Malik here on Wednesday.

He said that Iran and Pakistan enjoy strong cordial relations but there is lot more to be done to enhance the trade between the two countries to its full potential.

Honardoost noted that lack of banking channel between the two countries is a major hurdle to boost bilateral trade ties.

The diplomat said that Iran is a major trading partner of China, Russia and many other countries but its trade with Pakistan is very low.

He noted that both countries have decided to take the volume of bilateral trade to $ 5 billion by 2021, but achieving this goal faces some hurdles especially when it comes to trade between the businessmen.

“Huge potential of trade exists between Iran and Pakistan,” he said.

Noting the importance of Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project for Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost said that the project can change the face of Pakistan’s economy. “It can create more jobs and can also bring peace and stability in the region,” he said.

Expressing his views, the ambassador said last year saw many achievements in Iran-Pakistan ties. “We share same goals and we have same destiny,” said the Iranian diplomat.

He added that people of the two countries deserve better cordial relations. During the meeting, the ambassador congratulated Muhammad Pervaiz Malik on assuming the portfolio of the Commerce and Textile Ministry.

The minister welcomed the dignitary and expressed good wishes for the Iranian leadership. Expressing his views, the minister said that Iran and Pakistan enjoy strong brotherly ties.

He assured the ambassador of his full support for boosting the trade ties with Iran. The minister counted some problems that hamper trade between Iran and Pakistan. The minister said that future of Iran and Pakistan ties is very bright.

He said that Iran and Pakistan are two major countries of the Muslim world and can play a very important role for the stability of Muslim Ummah.

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