RAWALPINDI: The Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost on Monday said after lifting of international sanctions on Iran, gas pipeline project should be reactivated.

Visiting Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Monday, he said Iran had enough electricity and gas and could provide gas to Pakistan on relatively cheaper rates.

He was accompanied by Commercial Attaché Mustafa Razavi.

President RCCI Mian Humayun Parvez and senior vice president Saqib Rafiq and members of the executive committee and a large number of traders and industrialists were also present on the occasion.

The Iranian envoy showed his country wanted to enhance trade with Pakistan and a free trade agreement in this regard was being worked out by a joint commission.

`We have signed preferential trade agreement with Pakist an and it has been operational since September 2006,` he added.

He said that Pakistan and Iran were culturally, historically, linguistically and religiously attached with each other.

`There are tremendous opportunities to improve the trade relations between the two countries,` the Iranian envoy said.

He said Iran was a big market and Pakistani goods had a good reputation and value in Iranian markets. `There is a big demand of Pakistani basmati rice,` he added.

He said Iran needed skilled workers from Pakistan for its oil industry as it would boom after lifting of sanctions. `We are improving the banking channels to address the Letter of Credit (LC) issues and air links with direct flights from Tehran to Islamabad,` he said.

He emphasised on the improved relationship between the two countries` chambers.

Mehdi Honardoost assured his full cooperation and said that Iran was keen to further strengthen relations with Pakistan, which are mutually beneficial to the people of both the countries.

RCCI President Mian Humayun Parvez said that the trade volume between the two countries was about $1 billion which was still very low and had to be increased.

He suggested that exchange of trade delegations was important. Besides, single country exhibitions can provide an opportunity to introduce products in each other`s market, he said.

He urged Iranian envoy for the exchange of business information and opportunities and better interaction between people to people.

A presentation of the RCCI upcoming and past events was also given to the ambassador. A Reporter