Pakistan seeks greater share in Iranian rice market
Pakistan produces favorable-quality rice and looks to boost export to the Iranian market, said president of Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Talking to Iran Daily in Quetta of Baluchistan Province, Abdul Wadood Achakzai said Pakistani rice is of better quality than the Indian product adding that Pakistani rice can have a bigger share in the Iranian market.
The official also called for facilitating exports from Pakistan to Iran and hoped the 30-percent reduction in tariff rate would be implemented soon.
He pointed to preferential trade agreement (PTA) between Iran and Pakistan and said talks are underway with officials to include Pakistani rice in the list of PTA items.
The official said both countries are working on free trade agreement (FTA) which can help the private sector.
Achakzai further said mango, rice and textile products are the main exports to Iran while the main imports from Iran includes petrochemical products, electricity and liquefied natural gas.
He said that his office is working with its Iranian provincial counterpart at Zahedan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture to extend border markets.
“I had meetings with Abdolhakim Rigi, the head of Zahedan chamber in Quetta and Zahedan on development of border markets,” Achakzai said.
A participant in the Quetta Chamber Of Commerce and Industry meeting, Ajmal Khan Achakzai from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority affiliated to Ministry of Industries and Production of Pakistan said his country needs more Iranian oil and gas products to develop its industry.
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