Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, recently articulated an ambitious vision for the economic future between Iran and Pakistan, forecasting a bilateral trade expansion to $5 billion annually. During a discourse with Islamabad’s business community, he emphasized the robust economic and trade bonds linking Iran-Pakistan, suggesting a strategic elevation through air, rail, and maritime integration, poised to energize not just bilateral but regional and global commerce.
Strategically nestled at the nexus of the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia, Pakistan and Iran’s geographical prominence amplifies their geo-economic integration significance. The Ambassador highlighted initiatives aimed at bolstering transit trade, with 12 border markets underway—six already operational—heralding a new chapter of economic synergy.
Further, Dr. Moghadam pointed to the critical maritime roles of Gwadar and Chabahar ports. Proposing these as coastal sister ports opens avenues for shared economic prosperity. As members of pivotal international forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), ECO, and D-8, the nations find themselves well-placed to chase common economic ambitions.
The discussion also touched upon the strategic weight of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) mega projects. These endeavors are not merely bilateral interests but regional prosperity catalysts, with transportation and logistics spotlighted as critical for trimming business costs and enhancing trade flows. The current trade volume, standing at $2.5 billion, signals a doubling potential.
Dr. Moghadam underscored sectors ripe for trade expansion, notably agriculture, industry, and halal products, alongside tourism—especially religious tourism—as domains brimming with mutual growth opportunities. With Iran’s advancements in science and technology, despite sanctions, there lies fertile ground for cooperation in the knowledge economy.
Concluding his address, he encouraged the Pakistani business community’s active participation in the imminent Tehran trade and industrial exhibition, April 2024. This engagement serves as a conduit for deepening the business ties between Iran and Pakistan, further solidifying their economic collaboration.
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