Islamabad: Pakistan’s Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, has affirmed the country’s dedication to achieving a $10 billion trade target with Iran. This commitment was reiterated during a meeting with Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moqaddam, in Islamabad.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister highlighted the strategic advantage of Pakistan’s agricultural products, such as rice, maize, and fodder, which are not only of high quality but also geographically closer to Iran. This proximity offers a cost-effective alternative to importing similar products from more distant markets like Brazil and Australia.

The Iranian Ambassador shared plans to import 350,000 livestock from Pakistan and expressed satisfaction with the progress on rice export agreements, anticipating that purchase arrangements will be finalized soon. Both nations identified shared agro-climatic conditions as a foundation for collaboration in research, seed development, and technology transfer.

Iran expressed interest in joint ventures focusing on modern irrigation systems, drought-resistant crop varieties, and organic farming. The Ambassador also conveyed Iran’s willingness to work on training and capacity-building programs for agricultural scientists and technical experts, aiming for mutual growth and knowledge exchange.

The Minister welcomed Iran’s interest in strengthening agricultural ties and supported the proposal for extra-territorial cultivation on Pakistani soil. He emphasized Pakistan’s openness to innovative partnerships that foster sustainable agricultural practices.