NOURNEWS - Iranian Road and Urban Development Minister Mohammad Eslami underlined the need for the materialization of $5bln worth of goods exchanges between Tehran and Islamabad and further expansion of trade and economic cooperation.
Eslami made the remarks on Saturday, addressing a ceremony to inaugurate the official Rimdan border crossing between Iran and Pakistan in the presence of Pakistani Minister for Defense Production Zubaida Jalal.
“The liner shipping line from Chabahar (port in Iran) to Pakistan can also be among the important plans of the two countries and be used by the two sides,” he added.
Eslami also said that linking the two countries’ railways from different points is also on agenda to use the existing capacities to the utmost to develop trade.
Jalal, for her part, expressed the hope that inauguration of the border crossing would increase trade cooperation between the two countries.
“The Pishin border crossing will also be inaugurated officially within the next two months and we will witness boosting trade exchanges, creation of jobs and welfare of people on both sides of the border,” he added.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh had announced early today that the second official border point between Iran and Pakistan will be opened on Saturday.
"During the recent visit of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Islamabad, the Foreign Ministers of Iran and Pakistan agreed to open the Rimdan-Gabd border crossing between the two countries, which had already been negotiated, within a short period of time," Khatibzadeh said.
"Thus, with the coordination between the officials of the two countries and the relevant agencies, the Rimdan-Gabd border will be opened on Saturday as the second official border point between Iran and Pakistan in Sistan and Balouchestan province in the presence of high-ranking officials of the two countries," he added.
The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman termed the opening of the border crossing a factor in increasing economic and trade exchanges between Iran and Pakistan, and said, "The establishment of this border crossing between two friendly and neighboring countries and the recent opening of the Khaf-Herat railway show that the Islamic Republic of Iran gives special priority to interaction and cooperation with its neighbors and sees close cooperation with neighboring countries as a way for growth and excellence in West Asia."
NOURNEWS