KARACHI: Iran reiterated its interest in the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) when its Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi
Honardoost on Friday called the corridor “a project with great
potential” and urged other countries in the region to join it and
bolster regional cooperation.
“You see, such kinds of
project always bring great opportunities,” he told reporters at the
Karachi Press Club. “In order to capitalise on those opportunities and
strengthen cooperation in the region, other countries should participate
in it [CPEC] as well. We strongly hope that this project would bring
peace and prosperity to the region.”
However, the
Iranian envoy did not miss the opportunity to highlight the significance
of the newly-inaugurated Chabahar port in his country and invited the
Pakistani businessmen to “utilise” the facility which would open new
venues of Pakistani investment in the neighbouring country.
Iran,
earlier this month, opened its port of Chabahar as one of the major
post-nuclear deal projects in its Sistan-Baluchestan province at a
ceremony which was attended by officials from 17 countries, including
Pakistan.
Pakistani businessmen invited to utilise Chabahar port
The Chabahar port’s development was accelerated after Iran
signed the nuclear pact with the US and five other major powers in 2015
to put curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from
economic sanctions.
Earlier, Mr Honardoost visited the
Governor House where he met Sindh Governor Mohammed Zubair along with
Iranian consul general Ahmad Muhammadi.
During the
meeting, the two dignitaries exchanged views on Pakistan-Iran trade,
investment opportunities in Sindh, Iran’s cooperation in the social
sector, Pakistan’s key role in war against terrorism and other issues of
mutual interest.
“Governor Zubair invited Iranian
entrepreneurs to make investment in CPEC, particularly in Karachi, for
which the government will provide assistance,” a statement issued by the
Governor House said.
“Iranian ambassador Mr Honardoost
was of the view that not only the rulers of the two countries but their
people are also keen for further promotion of Iran-Pak relations,” the
statement added.
Meanwhile, the Iranian envoy also
addressed industrialists and the business community over a luncheon
meeting at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
On
the occasion, he said that lack of information about the capabilities
of Iran and Pakistan in the business communities of the two neighbouring
countries was hindering the promotion of bilateral trade.
“But
the situation has been improving as Pakistan-Iran trade volume rose by
31 per cent last year,” he said, adding that the two countries have to
focus on exchange of information and trade delegations and other
promotional activities.
Mr Honardoost said that Iran was
keen to develop its ties with Pakistan by focusing on enhancing trade
which continued to grow each year.
Exporting electricity
to Pakistan, implementing Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline, signing of
free-trade agreement and commencement of banking transactions between
the two brotherly countries reflected this approach, he added.