Speaking at the Iran-Pakistan Business Forum in Islamabad during the visit of an Iranian trade delegation, Hossein Pirmoazzen said economic relations between the two neighboring countries should evolve from conventional trade toward long-term industrial and investment partnerships, arguing that such cooperation would generate more sustainable growth for both sides. Pirmoazzen said the private sectors of Iran and Pakistan were prepared to expand bilateral commerce several-fold but that long-standing structural barriers had prevented the relationship from reaching its potential. He said deeper economic integration would require governments to create conditions that encouraged businesses to invest together rather than simply exchange goods. He said Iran could serve as a gateway for Pakistani firms seeking access to markets in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Iraq and the Persian Gulf, allowing bilateral cooperation to develop into a broader regional economic partnership. Pirmoazzen also called for improvements in banking and financial cooperation, saying reliable payment mechanisms were essential for expanding trade and investment. He said businesses needed confidence that cross-border payments could be made securely and efficiently, and proposed wider use of national currencies, barter arrangements and other mutually agreed settlement mechanisms. He also urged the two countries to address transport and logistics bottlenecks by reducing border delays, accelerating customs clearance and expanding cooperation on transport corridors. Stronger coordination between the ports of Chabahar and Karachi, as well as closer cooperation in rail and road transport, could significantly lower costs and improve the predictability of cargo movements, he said. Pirmoazzen also proposed creating a joint database of private-sector companies and identifying products with strong bilateral trade potential, while calling for the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers that continue to hinder commercial exchanges. The Iran-Pakistan Business Forum was held following the arrival of an Iranian trade delegation in Islamabad, where business representatives from both countries are exploring ways to deepen private-sector cooperation and strengthen bilateral economic ties.
