TEHRAN, Iran, June 29
Trend:
Head of Iran-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce Mahmoud Tohidast said that local exporters have complained about the Iran-Pakistan not being fully re-opened, Trend reports via ILNA.
"Although the borders between the two countries have been officially re-opened, some drivers and exporters are still complaining about the border traffic jams," Mahmoud Tohidast said.
He noted that the problem should be resolved through consultation with the Pakistani side.
Tohidast hinted at Pakistan being interested in opening borders with Iran in full, as it sells its agricultural products, especially rice and mangoes to Iran.
Speaking of rice, the official pointed out that Iran's imports of this products from other countries are still banned.
Iranian government usually imposes ban on rice imports for a few months each year to support local prices and help Iranian farmers during the harvest season.
Iran consumes 3 million tons of rice a year. Of that amount, about a million of tons is imported, mostly from India and Pakistan.
Referring to Iran's export to Pakistan, Tohidast said the country's exports to Pakistan will continue, no matter how slow it may be.
"According to forecasts, next worst wave of coronavirus will emerge in India and, and if that happens, our exports will be in trouble," Tohidast said. “Of course, we hope that this issue will be controlled.”
According to Pakistani media, the Federal government has opened the country’s borders with Afghanistan and Iran for the export of mangoes and vegetables, giving priority to the trucks carrying these perishable items.