TEHRAN,Iran, June 17
Trend:
Iran and Pakistan trade is starting to gradually improve despite the coronavirus spread, the head of Iran – Pakistan Chamber of Commerce Mahmoud Tohidast told Trend.
"The borders are currently working two to three days a week. Currently the border trade is at 60-70 percent," he said.
"No changes have occurred in regards to commodity tariffs between the two countries," he added.
"The borders are opened mainly due to Pakistan's fruit export to Central Asia and Turkey, which is done via Iran. Each year Iran transits fruits to neighboring countries, along with exporting its own goods, such as tiles, ceramics, oil-related goods, plastic, etc. But Iran's export hasn't been balanced since the COVID-19 arrival," he said.
"Iran only imports some mango from Pakistan, while the people who live near the borders smuggle fruits from Pakistan. Iran also imports rice from Pakistan whenever the import is allowed," he said.
"Pakistan is a big market and unfortunately Iran has not fully used this trade potential, its trade value with Pakistan is only some $1 billion from a $25 billion market," he said.
"The issue in the trade with Pakistan is weakness of banking connection and transaction therefore bartering goods are currently ongoing," he added.
"The biggest issue is that Pakistan is a member of the World Trade Organization and imposes high tariffs on Iranian goods, which makes the trade costly," he added.