Economic activists from Iran and Pakistan believe that the two countries have to exercise free trade and barter trade mechanisms to further expand bilateral relations.
Iranian and Pakistani trade delegations met in a business meeting in Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) headquarters in Tehran on Saturday which took place on the sidelines of Iran Expo 2024 in the Iranian capital.
Speaking during the meeting, the ICCIMA Vice President Qadir Qiafeh said that a $2.1 billion trade between Iran and Pakistan is not proportionate with economic and historical relations between the two neighboring countries.
He referred to targeting $10 billion in bilateral trade, noting that the private sectors of the two countries have a major role in reaching this goal and have to make the necessary planning in this regard.
Ashfaq Ahmed, the vice president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, who was also present at the meeting, said that many obstacles, including the lack of direct maritime routes, are hindering the exchanges between Iran and Pakistan.
He also noted that enhancement of banking relations will help facilitate trade exchanges.