Iran exported non-oil commodities valued at $420 million to Pakistan during the first quarter of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-June 21), according to the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).Foroud Asgari said that Pakistan was Iran’s seventh top non-oil export destination in the mentioned three-month period.Speakers at a seminar on the future of Iran-Pakistan relations and regional connectivity emphasized the need for constructive dialogue between officials from both countries to navigate administrative and logistical complexities. They stressed that securing mutual benefits and improving the well-being of the Iranian and Pakistani people require strong political will and reciprocal practical measures.The seminar, titled "Iran-Pakistan Relations: Trade Outlook and Strengthening Connectivity," was held on March 1 with the participation of the Iranian Embassy and hosted by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).The event brought together prominent experts from Pakistan’s diplomatic, media, economic, and political spheres, along with several foreign diplomats.Among the keynote speakers were Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tehran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, ISSI Chairman Sohail Mahmood, and former Pakistani Ambassador to Iran Riffat Masood.They underscored the $10 billion trade target and key energy projects as crucial steps toward strengthening bilateral relations.Acknowledging the challenges hindering smooth trade between the two nations stemming from administrative complexities, logistical barriers, and regional and global developments speakers emphasized that structured engagement, fostering trust, and mutual respect form the foundation for a resilient and adaptable partnership between Tehran and Islamabad.Pakistani experts highlighted the importance of enhancing border security, building mutual trust, and advancing projects such as linking the Gwadar and Chabahar ports and collaborating on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to unlock greater trade potential.Addressing the seminar, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam stated that trade and connectivity are two fundamental pillars of both global and domestic economies, significantly influencing each other. Reliable and secure transportation, he noted, is a facilitator of sustainable trade, making investment in transit corridors both essential and highly beneficial for investors.In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the international community faces two new concepts: tariff wars and corridor wars, both targeting key economic pillars, he said. “Tariff wars, aimed at disrupting supply chains and obstructing trade among Global South nations, threaten international trade and the livelihoods of millions. Meanwhile, corridor wars through the creation of competing routes, destructive rivalries, economic terrorism, insecurity, and instability are designed to sustain unilateralism and hinder sustainable development goals”.Amiri Moghadam highlighted the strategic geographic position of Iran and Pakistan, which play a vital role in connecting the vast networks of Asian and European countries. He stressed that developing transportation infrastructure and strengthening bilateral connectivity would facilitate broader regional interactions.“With their transit capacities, diverse production sectors, and complementary economies, Iran and Pakistan can enhance their bilateral supply chains as well as those with other countries,” he added. Iran serves as the gateway to Eurasia and the Caucasus, while Pakistan is the entry point to South and Southeast Asia. This unique positioning distinguishes the two countries from their other neighbors.”The Iranian envoy further noted that the two nations share a 1,000-kilometer land and maritime border, with markets and border crossings fostering interdependence. The Rimdan-Gabd and Pishin-Mand border crossings have been activated to ease trade and facilitate smoother movement, while plans for additional border terminals and marketplaces are underway. However, he pointed out that bureaucratic and logistical hurdles remain, requiring joint efforts to address. (ICE TEHERAN)

Fonte notizia: Tehran Times