Iran To Facilitate Wheat, Rice Import From Pakistan

Islamabad, Feb 25, IRNA – A top Iranian diplomat has assured Pakistani rice exporters that their problems identified in the way of rice export to Iran will be resolved. Talking to the exporters of rice and wheat at the head office of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in Karachi, Iranian Deputy Commerce Minister Abbas Ghobadi said that Iran prefers Pakistani rice which is a popular dish. Referring to the import of wheat, he made it clear that Iranian market was quality conscious and import of wheat would depend upon acceptability by their consumers. He advised the wheat traders to nominate a focal person for follow up meeting on import of wheat which would be held on February 24, in Karachi. He indicated that the volume of trade between Pakistan and Iran would increase upto $ 10 billion and the outcome of this meeting would help in formulating appropriate trade policy for ensuring sustained trade between the countries. Ghobadi noted that relationship between two brethren Islamic countries could go a long way in the presence of good railway, road and sea links. The meeting was followed by informal talks between exporters and the Iranian delegates. The Rice Exports Association of Pakistan (REAP) delegation led by vice chairman Safdar Mehkri highlighted the potential of Pakistan's export surplus of rice and identified the hurdles faced by their exporters while doing business with their Iranian counterparts. They requested the Iranian Deputy Commerce Minister to give preferential treatment to Pakistan's rice by extending a 'zero import duty regime' for rice import from Pakistan under already signed PTA with any future change to it only after mutual agreement. The trade also suggested for allowing rice import from Pakistan as a fellow ECO member country by issuing import permit to all interested rice importers in Iran without any restrictions. The representatives of REAP also requested for the removal of requirement of 'Mujawaz'. The trade supported the idea of Pak – Iran currency swap for the better trade relation between the two countries. Abdul Kaleem Baakza of Wheat Traders Association of Pakistan apprised the visiting minister about the quality of Pakistan's rice and the availability of wheat surplus in the country. He requested the Iranian Government to facilitate the wheat exporters of Pakistan by removing administrative hurdles confronted by them./end