Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made the remark in a Joint Economics Meeting between Iranian and Pakistani businessmen on Saturday in Islamabad, adding “we have so far abided by all our commitments on delivering gas and electricity to Pakistan. We have brought gas pipelines close to Pakistan’s borders and are ready to expand our cooperation.”
The President went on to add, “Tehran can serve as a reliable partner to Islamabad in the areas of gas, oil and electricity, as well as in providing technical and engineering services and participating in development projects on economic infrastructures including railway and dam construction.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is also ready to raise its trade volume with Pakistan from $1 billion to $5 billion within the next few years,” said Rouhani, while stressing the role of entrepreneurs and the public and private sectors of the two countries in achieving this goal.
President Rouhani further maintained that regional conditions necessitates the improvement of Tehran-Islamabad economic ties now more than ever, saying both countries should encourage their private sectors to participate in projects on investment, transferring capitals and technology, as well as defense and security.
Highlighting the role of diversity of resources for sustainable growth, Rouhani added “diversity in resources means the reinforcement of a country’s ‘resistance economy’. It was this very economy which allowed Iran to resist against all sanctions and the sharp decline in oil prices.”
President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Islamabad on Friday for a two-day visit. Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation including 60 Iranian businessmen, the Iranian President is set to expand cooperation with Pakistan, particulary in the economic area.
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