January 06, 2008	Sunday	Zilhaj 26, 1428

PESHAWAR, Jan 5: An Iranian diplomat on Saturday urged local businessmen to help counter smuggling of Iranian goods. He called for strengthening the economic ties between Pakistan and Iran.

Mohammad Eghbal Ali Asghari, Iran’s consul-general in Peshawar, was talking to office-bearers of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). Highlighting the brotherly relations with Pakistan, the Iranian diplomat said that it was important for the two countries to cooperate in economic and trade sectors.

He said that Iran was making progress in the automobile, cement, gemstone and other sectors that was instrumental in pushing its exports upwards.

Stressing the need for countering illegal trade, he urged SCCI for frequent exchange of trade delegations and holding of joint exhibitions of goods in Peshawar.

SCCI president Haji Mohammad Asif said that the chamber would make extra efforts in formalising the movement of Iranian goods and holding of exhibitions in Pakistan.

He proposed the formation of Pak-Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which suggestion the Iranian diplomat praised. He promised to take up the issue at the relevant forum.