KARACHI, Dec 28: Leader of Iranian trade delegation Dr Freydoun Entezari said on Saturday that Iranian businessmen were eager to have joint ventures in oil and gas sector of Pakistan.

He was speaking at a visit to Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). Diplomats of Islamic countries, president KCCI Shaukat Iqbal and former president of FPCCI Tariq Saeed were also present on the occasion.

Mr Entezari, who is also the deputy president for International Affairs of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines said that Irani businessmen were also keen in other sectors like textiles, auto spareparts, fisheries, software and import of rice.

He said that Iranian businessmen were looking for joint ventures between Pakistan and Iran as well as with other Islamic countries.

Talking about the meetings with Pakistani officials and businessmen in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, Mr. Entezari said that both the sides have discussed issues of financial facilities, customs tariff, shipping lines, smuggling, ways to promote business.

He said that the members of Iranian delegation belonged to various regions including Isfahan, Zahidan and Hamadan dealing in various products.

He pointed out that growth rate in Iran was about 6 per cent while the growth rate of private sector was 8 per cent which indicated the potential of this sector.

Entezari pointed out that the privatization programme was continued at smooth pace in Iran.

He underlined the need for exchange of information between Iranian chamber and ICCI for boosting links between the two chambers.

Earlier, secretary general ICCI Aqeel A Al-Jassem in his address of welcome said that his chamber was keenly following the on-going meetings between Pakistan and Iran and there immense potential for enhancement of trade and investment ties.

He said the current level of bilateral trade did not reflect the existing potential.

He was of the view that the existing potential in the OIC market could not be tapped due to lack of information about each other.

“If Muslim Ummah do not come together on economic grounds then, we fear to be marginalised,” Jassem observed.

He said ICCI was trying to make efforts to foster closer ties among the OIC members by undertaking programmes and activities which focused on the overall development and upliftment of private sector.

Meanwhile, deputy leader of Iranian delegation Muhammad Karimi, explaining the import policy of Iran, said that Iran was ready to import rice from Pakistan but only the top quality.

“We returned the rice consignment last time as the rice quality was not up to the mark. There is no restriction as such,” he informed the members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The members of the delegation interacted with the members of the KCCI and discussed various trade issues of mutual interest. They also identified various areas which needed special attention for boosting trade between the two brotherly countries.

Muhammad Karimi said that the higher petrol price in Pakistan was main reason behind the smuggling of petrol from Iran. He said in Balochistan the Iranian petrol was being sold at the rate of six cents per litre. It could only be controlled by lowering the POL tariff, he suggested.

He said it was wrong that there were 200 per cent taxes on textile sector. However, he added, the taxes on garments were on higher side and assured that they would take up the issue with their government and convey the feelings of Pakistani importers on this issue.

Karimi said that every consignments sent from Pakistan should carry quality certificate. At present some consignments exported to Iran do not carry such certificate, he added.

Responding to a question about the restriction on Pakistani trucks to enter Iran, he said usually Pakistani trucks were heavily overloaded, which were not allowed in Iran. However, he added, this issue was under consideration and expected to be resolved within one month.

He said Iran can hire the services of Pakistan for repairs and renovation of its ships, provided these services were offered on reasonable rates. At present Iran is buying such services from Oman, he explained.

The Deputy Leader of the delegation said that Iran can also import medicines from Pakistan but it was not ready to compromise on quality.

“If Pakistan can supply higher quality medicines, we are ready to import them from Pakistan,” he assured.

He also agreed that the frequent exchange of trade delegations and trade information can help increase the two way trade between the two countries.

Earlier, President of the Chamber, Shaukat Iqbal presented the address of welcome.—APP