KARACHI, Feb 7: Participants of a seminar on Saturday noted that like Pakistan, Iran should relax tariff barriers and visa policy to increase bilateral trade.

Iran charges three kind of duties which include customs, commercial benefits tariff (CBT) and levies on prices. Customs duties there were more than 100 per cent.

The participants also said that both sides should also look into the causes leading to large scale trade through smuggling.

The seminar on "Trade between Pakistan and Iran" was organized by Pak-Iran Business Council of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) here at Federation House.

The seminar was attended by a large number of businessmen and officials dealing with trade from both sides.

Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Tariq Ikram speaking as chief guest underlined the need for more exhibitions, competitive prices and quality, and aggressive selling for promoting mutual trade and investments.

He said import regime in Iran should be liberalized and private sector's role there should be further enhanced.

He suggested that border trade should be increased through cooperative societies.

Tariq Ikram said that all those factors, which both the peoples consider, are in interest of the two countries, should be looked into and taken care of.

He highlighted liberalized economic policy structure and increased incentives and facilities for the investors and traders from within and outside the country.

He said development of road transport system was very essential to increase bilateral trade.

He suggested that Pakistanis should be given visas so that they could drive their vehicles into Iran and across to other neighbouring countries.

The EPB Chairman said he would soon visit Iran to discuss various trade and investment related issues with public and private sector people there.

Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran in Pakistan, ME Taherian said that Iran was very flexible on visa issue and his country would be providing more facilities and incentives to promote bilateral trade.

He claimed that his Government had already transparent and encouraging economic policies.

Counsel General of Iran at Karachi, Syed Moosa Husseini noted that during last few years the two governments had taken very positive steps to promote mutual understanding and cooperation in various fields.

He said there exists a great potential to promote bilateral trade and investment. Iran and Pakistan, through joint ventures, could fulfil not only each other's requirements but could occupy other regional markets.

Iran enjoyed position of a gateway for Pakistan to do business with Europe and other countries, he said.

Deputy Governor of Khorasan province of Iran, Hussain Zare Sefat suggested the establishment of a joint chamber of commerce between Khorasan and Pakistani provinces to boost economic ties.

When pointed out that Iran was reluctant to facilitate Pakistan to hold single country exhibition there, he said "we are ready to hold solo exhibition of Pakistan in Khorasan."

He presented a movie on tourism and other economic activities in Khorasan province.

Acting President FPCCI, Arshad Alam in his address of welcome pointed out various trade barriers and suggested the remedial measures to promote bilateral trade.

He underlined the need for more interaction between the businessmen of the two countries at all levels.

He called upon Iranian side to immediately appoint customs staff at the border with Pakistan as the latter had already done all things required to start transit trade.

Chairman FPCCI's Pak-Iran Business Council, Tariq Sayed pointed that Iran was holding its 6th solo exhibition here while due to visa problem Pakistan has not held an exhibition in Iran so far.

He suggested that the businessmen of the two countries should be allowed visa for at least two year to ensure their maximum interaction.

Vice President, FPCCI, Engr MA Jabbar said there existed tariff, non-tariff and para-tariff barriers from Iranian side in promoting mutual trade while Pakistan has very open and liberal economic policies which are in agreement with WTO requirements.-APP