Iran-Pakistan Free Economic Zone to Open Soon

EghtesadOnline: Iran-Pakistan Free Economic Zone at Mirjaveh, Sistan-Baluchestan Province, will be inaugurated soon, Iran's Consul General Mohammad Rafiei announced.

News ID: ۷۸۴۴۶۹

09 January 2019

Rafiei expressed Iran’s willingness to sell fuel to Pakistan at low rates, Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune reported.

The development came during a meeting of Pakistan's Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan with the Iranian consul general at the minister's secretariat on Monday.

Kamal and Rafiei agreed that trade expansion between the two countries would benefit ordinary citizens, according to Financial Tribune.

Increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion was the focal point of the meeting.

They called on border checkpoints and economic zones to help foster bilateral economic relations.

Discussions were also held about the implementation of decisions taken during the Iran-Pakistan Border Commission and the joint border trade commission.

“Today, relations between the two countries depend a lot on trade, and economic relations with neighboring countries can only be strengthened by boosting trade activities,” Kamal said, adding that unrest in the region had a negative impact on the economic stability of Pakistan and Iran.

The Balochistan chief minister noted that Pakistan's federal and provincial governments have taken measures to develop trade ties with Iran, stressing that the government is taking effective measures for curbing drug smuggling and restoring peace to the border areas.

Kamal said the tax-free border markets in Pakistan and Iran will boost bilateral economic ties, informing the consul general regarding security measures taken for pilgrims travelling from Balochistan to Iran.

Rafiei said both countries have had social, political and cultural relations for decades, therefore the Iranian government has always given importance to its relations with Pakistan, terming Balochistan an important bridge between Pakistan and Iran.

During the one-to-one meeting, the Iranian consul general invited the Pakistani chief minister to visit Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan Province.