TEHRAN, Iran, June 11
Trend:
Iran could export up to $30 billion worth of goods to Pakistan, but as of now its exports to this country stand at about $900 million-$1.2 billion, a member of the Iran-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce Mahmoud Tohidast said, Trend reports via ILNA.
He pointed out that Pakistan's fence building on its border with Iran is more related to security issues and may affect smuggling, but it does not affect the legal trade that takes place through official channels.
He went on to say that Iran does not have any bank branch in Pakistan for currency exchanges yet, so most of the country's exchanges with Pakistan are in the form of bartering.
Speaking of Iran's Mirjaveh Special Economic Zone, he said that if it is established, Iran and Pakistan could set up bank branches and do business through this zone.
"It is in its final stages, a comprehensive plan must be approved," he said, referring to the Mirjaveh Special Economic Zone.
He expressed hope that the last needed steps to establish this zone will be taken by the end of June.
Referring to Iran's export problems to Pakistan, he emphasized the importance of the two-lane railway between Zahedan and Mirjavah.
Tohidast also expressed hope that the government will invest in the Mirjavah-Zahedan railway, to expand transportation opportunities.