Iran, Pakistan FTA to Boost Bilateral Trade: TPOI
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The basic document of implementing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan was finalized years ago, the deputy head of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) said, adding that working groups are mulling over the list of transacting goods under the agreement.
Speaking in an interview with Mehr news agency, Mohammad Sadegh Qannadzadeh pointed to the establishment of free trade with Pakistan and said the basic document of the Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan had been finalized years ago but the two sides needed to conclude the list of goods, so talks started between Iranian and Pakistani officials to follow up the case.
According to the program, the two sides will take necessary measures at joint working groups regarding the introduction of a list of transacting goods, the deputy TPOI for the international businesses promotion affairs added.
He referred to the establishment of trade centers and added, “With the coordination made in this regard, Iran will inaugurate the trade centers in Pakistan in coming months to further enhance bilateral ties in the fields of trade and economy.”
Currently, the maximum level of trade between Tehran and Islamabad is nearly $2.5 billion, Qannadzadeh said, adding that Iran and Pakistan enjoy good capabilities to boost their bilateral trade to $5 billion.
The two countries finalized the draft of the FTA in December 2017 after several rounds of talks .