TEHRAN Iran exported non-oil commodities valued at $2.2 billion to Pakistan during the 11-month period from March 20, 2024 to February 18, 2025, the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) announced.Foroud Asgari said that Pakistan was Irans sixth top export location in the discussed 11-month period.Speakers at a seminar on the future of Iran-Pakistan relations and local connectivity stressed the need for useful dialogue between authorities from both countries to browse administrative and logistical intricacies.
They stressed that protecting mutual benefits and improving the wellness of the Iranian and Pakistani individuals need strong political will and reciprocal practical measures.The workshop, entitled Iran-Pakistan Relations: Trade Outlook and Strengthening Connectivity, was held on March 1 with the participation of the Iranian Embassy and hosted by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).
The event united prominent experts from Pakistans diplomatic, media, economic, and political spheres, in addition to several foreign diplomats.Among the keynote speakers were Irans Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam, Pakistans Ambassador to Tehran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, ISSI Chairman Sohail Mahmood, and previous Pakistani Ambassador to Iran Riffat Masood.They underscored the $10 billion trade target and key energy tasks as essential actions towards strengthening bilateral relations.Acknowledging the obstacles impeding smooth trade in between the two nationsstemming from administrative intricacies, logistical barriers, and local and international developmentsspeakers stressed that structured engagement, fostering trust, and shared respect form the structure for a resilient and adaptable partnership between Tehran and Islamabad.Pakistani professionals highlighted the value of enhancing border security, constructing mutual trust, and advancing projects such as linking the Gwadar and Chabahar ports and working together on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to unlock greater trade potential.Addressing the workshop, Irans Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam specified that trade and connectivity are 2 essential pillars of both international and domestic economies, considerably affecting each other.
Trustworthy and safe and secure transportation, he noted, is a facilitator of sustainable trade, making investment in transit corridors both essential and highly advantageous for investors.In todays rapidly evolving landscape, the global neighborhood deals with two brand-new principles: tariff wars and corridor wars, both targeting essential economic pillars, he said.
Tariff wars, aimed at disrupting supply chains and obstructing trade among Global South nations, threaten global trade and the incomes of millions.
On the other hand, corridor warsthrough the production of competing routes, harmful competitions, financial terrorism, insecurity, and instabilityare designed to sustain unilateralism and impede sustainable development goals.Amiri Moghadam highlighted the strategic geographical position of Iran and Pakistan, which play an important function in linking the vast networks of Asian and European countries.
He stressed that establishing transport facilities and strengthening bilateral connectivity would facilitate broader local interactions.With their transit capabilities, diverse production sectors, and complementary economies, Iran and Pakistan can improve their bilateral supply chains in addition to those with other countries, he included.
Iran works as the gateway to Eurasia and the Caucasus, while Pakistan is the entry point to South and Southeast Asia.
This distinct positioning differentiates the two nations from their other neighbors.The Iranian envoy even more kept in mind that the 2 nations share a 1,000-kilometer land and maritime border, with markets and border crossings promoting connection.
The Rimdan-Gabd and Pishin-Mand border crossings have actually been triggered to ease trade and help with smoother motion, while prepare for additional border terminals and markets are underway.
He pointed out that governmental and logistical hurdles remain, requiring joint efforts to address.Irans Chabahar Port and Pakistans Gwadar and Karachi ports hold tremendous capacity for reinforcing financial linkages in between the two nations and the more comprehensive area, Amiri Moghadam stated.
Strategic and geopolitical concerns from particular external actors have led to misguiding stories representing these ports as competitors, whereas, in truth, they are complementary according to all economic, geological, and strategic indicators.He reaffirmed Irans assistance for any initiative that cultivates local combination, strengthens bonds of peace and friendship amongst nations, and promotes financial success.
Iran has regularly welcomed Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and associated tasks in line with this policy and is prepared to actively get involved, he adAmiri Moghadam highlighted continuous efforts to enhance transit paths, consisting of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train, along with port cooperation and facilities advancement for East-West and North-South corridors.
These initiatives hold immense strategic and financial significance for both countries, he said.Under the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) structure, the ITI freight train is currently functional, using substantial chances for Iran and Pakistan to broaden transit and transportation cooperation through these passages.
He also indicated the near-term completion of Irans railway link to Herat in Afghanistan and the Rasht-Astara railway connection, which are anticipated to change transit in the region.Despite a post-pandemic recovery in bilateral trade volume, Amiri Moghadam kept in mind that existing trade levels stay listed below potential.
Senior officials from both countries have set a $10 billion trade target, and achieving this goal requires intensified efforts, he stated.He stressed that the Iranian and Pakistani markets are complementary instead of competitive.
Pakistans economy is driven by its textile and farming markets, while Irans economy is based on oil and semi-industrial production.
Even in agriculture, the 2 nations are not rivals.
Pakistan produces crops such as corn, sugarcane, rice, tropical fruits, sesame, and animal fodder, while it relies on Iran for petroleum products, gas, and agricultural and commercial machinery.If Pakistan requires energy, Iran has an abundance of it.
If Iran needs water management solutions, Pakistan is a fertile land with large agricultural and livestock resources, he described.
These comparative benefits and complementary sectors strengthen economic ties between the two nations.With a combined population of over 340 million, Amiri Moghadam worried that Iran and Pakistan need to take concrete steps to totally harness their financial capacity.
Strengthening ties with neighbors is an essential policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and an essential roadmap for our government, he stated.Amiri Moghadam concluded by highlighting the requirement for additional actions to boost bilateral ties, including fixing bureaucratic barriers, broadening direct flights, improving transport facilities, and releasing leisure cruise lines.
These measures will assist enhance connection, broaden trade, and drive economic growth between the 2 nations, he said.n a conference between Head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Samad Hassanzadeh and Pakistani Ambassador to Iran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu in Tehran in late June 2024, the authorities worried the requirement for Iran and Pakistan to work out barter trade and free trade to emerge a $10 billion trade target.Also, throughout a meeting in between Irans Industry, Mining, and Trade Minister Mohammad Atabak and Pakistans Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan in mid-October 2024, the 2 sides gone over trade ties between the two nations, with both concurring that financial exchanges must be promoted further.The 2 ministers met in Pakistans capital Islamabad on the sidelines of the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Atabak told IRNA that he and the Pakistani minister discussed trade ties in between the 2 countries and agreed to hold more talks in order to check out methods to remove challenges to the promotion of bilateral trade.Considering the historic and cultural commonalities of the 2 countries, we must take advantage of the strong potentials to broaden trade exchanges in between Iran and Pakistan, the minister stated.He specified that the current quantity of trade exchanges between the 2 nations is not appropriate from the point of view of both Iran and Pakistan, and thinking about the strong relations and typical links of the two countries, the two sides are confident that they will be able to increase the volume of trade exchanges a number of times.The Pakistani minister spoke with IRNA.
He explained his talks with the Iranian minister as constructive, adding, We had great talks with my Iranian equivalent and reached constructive contracts, and our company believe that there are lots of remaining jobs that the 2 nations are figured out to pursue.In mid-July 2024, the 11th meeting of the Joint Border Trade Committee of Iran and Pakistan opened in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan, where the two sides pursue the boost of bilateral trade to $10 billion per annum.Pakistans Ambassador to Iran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, who participates in the conference online, announced that Iranian and Pakistani delegations are set up to talk about the mechanism to increase shared trade.Irans consul general in Quetta, Pakistans consul general in Zahedan, and other senior officials of Sistan-Baluchestan province took part in the meeting.Such joint meetings are held to pave the way for reviewing obstacles, getting rid of barriers, and developing trade and economic relations between the two friendly and nearby countries.The two sides make the needed coordination to help improve trade and economic ties, exchange financial delegations, arrange joint exhibits, draw in bilateral investment, and develop joint industrial centers and retail markets.The head of the Pakistani delegation to the 11th meeting of the Joint Border Trade Committee said that Islamabad strongly supports the advancement of joint markets and financial investment, which can increase the level of trust in between the 2 nations.Irfan Javed added that Pakistan likewise requires cooperation in the field of transportation since it can impact the income of individuals who are residing in border regions.The deputy coordinator of financial affairs of Sistan-Baluchestan governors workplace stated that Iran likes expanding trade exchanges with Pakistan.Davoud Shahraki added that the relationship between the two countries is historic and long-standing.
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