20000314

B'stan Chamber

team discusses

trade promotion

with Irani consul

LAILA A ALI

QUETTA: Matters pertaining to promotion of trade and commerce between Pakistan and Iran through land route have been thrashed out at a meeting held here between Iranian Consul General Syed Abbas Khadem and the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Delegation.

The Chamber delegation was led by BCCI Chief Sardar Mohammad Ali Jogezai.

It briefed the Iranian diplomat on the problems and potential of better commerce and trade between the two brotherly neighbouring countries through Balochistan land route. The problems, at present facing the traders regarding transport of Pakistan's exports to Iran as well as to the Central Asian states by land routes.

The BCCI delegation is reported to have told the Iranian diplomat that Iranian trailors, trucks and other means of transport are allowed to ply in Pakistan for a marketing of Iranian items. But Pakistan trailers and other means of transport are stopped at the border town for off loading of items meant for sale and supply to the Iranian markets. Pakistan's exportable goods are then loaded on Iranian trailers, truck and other means of transport for carriage to the Iranian markets.

The delegation asked the Iranian diplomat for reciprocal facilities for the export of Pakistani items to Iranian markets.

This would save Pak exporters from unnecessary expenditure on, offloading and loading at the border towns for sale and supply to the Iranian markets.

Moreover facilities as enjoyed by Iranian exporters for plying their items carrying vehicles in Pakistan, by Pakistani exporters would also be beneficial to/safe and swift delivery of Pakistani exportable goods to Iranian consumers at competitive and cheaper rates.

The delegation also asked the Iranian diplomat for Pakistani exportable surplus transit facilities for the markets in Central Asian states through Iranian highway system. The Iranian diplomat assured the BCCI delegation of conveying their suggestions to relevant quarters in Iran for every possible solution.