Pakistan and Iran have agreed to boost their cooperation in different economic spheres in the 21st session of Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday. 

The Pak-Iran Joint Economic Commission’s 21st session was held in Islamabad from August 17-18, 2022 with an objective to enhance the mutual cooperation between two countries. The points agreed between the two countries at the commission’s last meeting in Iran on April 17 and April 18, 2017 were reviewed. 

The Iranian delegation was led by Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran Rostam Ghasemi whereas the Pakistani delegation was headed by Federal Minister for Commerce of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Syed Naveed Qamar.

During the JEC’s closing ceremony, held on 18th August, Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar stated that Pakistan attributes high importance to the relations with its brotherly neighbouring nation, Islamic Republic of Iran

He also highlighted that the Quetta-Taftan Road is trafficable, however for further improvement of roads, various projects were undertaken.

The minister also expressed the need of making visa conditions easier to facilitate the Pakistani traders and visitors.

Furthermore, he assured his counterpart that Pakistan was committed to take all possible measures to increase the bilateral trade volume.

To increase the bilateral trade, an additional border crossing point at Gabd (near to Gwadar)-Reemdan has recently been operationalized by Pakistan.

In addition, the purpose of agreement on International transport between Pakistan and Iran aims to facilitate trade traffic from Turkey to Pakistan through Iran, while Iranian goods and passengers can have access to China through Pakistan.

Pakistan will have the benefits of access to other Central Asian Republics and Europe through Türkiye with operationalization of the decisions taken in the 21st session of JEC.

Moreover, he stated that for the first time in the history of Pak-Iran relations, both states were creating green corridors to move transit trade with no additional tariff

The project for the creation of Free Economic Zone on borders along with border markets was also under discussion.

Both the sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the end of the session.