Pakistan Finance Minister calls on Iran's President Ahmadinejad

Tehran, June 30 PPI: Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says $7 billion Iran, Pakistan, India IPI gas pipeline project will be finalized in ``very near future.''

Talking to visiting Pakistani Finance Minister, Syed Naveed Qamar, he said Pakistan, Iran Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was proper forum to optimize bilateral economic relations and suggested its scope be enhanced to include all possible sectors with main emphasis on energy, technology transfer, culture, health etc.

He said Pakistan should benefit from the expertise Iran achieved in certain sectors and likewise. ``Pakistan's progress is dear to us and we remain grateful to Islamabad for its support extended to Tehran,'' President Ahmadinejad. He cautioned both countries must remain vigilant and not allow their enemies to spoil bilateral
ties.

Qamar said Pakistan considered Iran as its true brotherly neighbor and JEC expected to proceed and further enhance cooperation in all possible sectors. ``We always supported Iran in all international and regional forum and will continue to do so.''

Meanwhile, four documents of cooperation were signed at concluding session of Pakistan, Iran JEC. Qamar led Pakistan delegation while Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki led his country's side.

MOUs were signed between Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines & Federation of Chamber of Commerce & Industries, the two governments on International Transport of passengers & goods by road, MoU between Pakistan Television Corporation, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation & Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

Qamar said both countries need to take initiatives to open up their economies and explore possibilities to enhance trade. He spoke of investment friendly environment in Pakistan which facilitated foreign direct investment of $4 billion in the country in fiscal year 2007-08.

Mottaki commended recent economic and industrial achievements of Pakistan and felt potential of economic cooperation between two countries was far more than present volume of trade between them which is $500 million annually.

The leadership of both countries is determined to increase bilateral trade up to $1 billion in near future.