December 27, 2002	Friday	Shawwal 22, 1423

KARACHI, Dec 26: Iran has asked the commerce and finance ministry to set a “standard” for the Pakistani rice, to be met by Pakistani exporters of rice as per requirement of the Iranian importers.

This was stated by the leader of 36-member Iranian trade delegation, Dr Freydoon Entezari in a meeting with office-bearers of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on December 24 at Islamabad.

He said that Irani importers are facing problems of standard and quality of Pakistani rice when the commodity is tested at Iranian lab, says a press release of the FPCCI.

Dr Freydoon said that a Fibre Optic Project would be completed very soon in Iran and Pakistan would also be linked with it.

He said Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industry is ready to prepare a catalogue show for Pakistani businessmen and invited publication material from the FPCCI especially in the field of information technology and textile sector, which will be placed in the commercial library set up for familiarization of the young generation of Iran.

He assured that multiple entry visa would be issued to the genuine businessmen on the recommendation of the FPCCI.

Dr Freydoon said people of private sector are interested in joint venture projects with Pakistani counterparts in pharmaceuticals, textiles, ceramics, sports goods, software and transportation.

Vice President, FPCCI, Chaudhry Mohammad Saeed called for holding single country exhibitions in Iran frequently. He said that next meeting of Iran-Pak Business Council will raise the issue of tariff rates and said that special rates should be introduced by reducing the existing rates up to 25 per cent.