Iran constitutes fund to promote trade with Pakistan


By Our Correspondent

PESHAWAR, April 2: The government of Iran has established a special fund of $200 million to assist its entrepreneurs willing to invest in Pakistan, members of an Iranian business delegation said here on Saturday.

The three-member delegation, in a meeting with Governor Khalilur Rehman here on Saturday, said the Iranian government constituted the fund, following Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's last visit to Iran.

Talking to the governor, the Iranian businessmen said that the move was meant to promote business ties between the two countries.

The governor, said an official handout, invited Iranian entrepreneurs with rich experience in the oil and gas exploration sector to take advantage of the NWFP's and Fata 's natural resources.

The members, accompanied by Iran Consul General Mohammad Hassan Imani, called on the governor at the Governor's House here.

The governor said that the Iranian entrepreneurs could benefit from the opportunities. He informed the delegation that a Hungary-based company was already developing Gurgari gas field in Karak district, which testified that there was a potential for further development.

He said the cooperation between Iran and Pakistan to explore oil and gas in Fata and the NWFP would be beneficial to both the countries.

Apart from the oil and gas sector, he said, there was a vast scope for investment in various fields in the province and in FATA.

The governor also mentioned agriculture and mineral sectors as both the fields also offered investment potential.

Haji Ghulam Ali, Fata Chamber of Commerce and Industries president, and Faiz Rasool Khan, senior Vice president, were also present on the occasion. They said tribal areas, which suffered neglect, offered attraction for entrepreneurship almost in every field.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/04/03/nat13.htm