ISLAMABAD- Finance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar chaired an inter-ministerial meeting on facilitating Pakistan- Iran trade, within the ambit of UN sanctions, at the Finance Ministry today.

During the Prime Minister's visit to Iran, both the sides had reaffirmed their commitment to promote mutual trade and cooperation with barter trade and commodities exchange mechanism.

The Finance Minister insisted on clearing impediments in mutual trade before the initiation ceremony of the Joint Economic Commission, which is scheduled for this quarter. The two sides will discuss 50 agenda items at the upcoming JEC meeting and implementation of the outstanding agenda.

Senator Dar directed the Finance Secretary to hold a meeting with all the stakeholders and suggest practical measures to move forward on barter trade and opening of border crossings between the two countries.

It was further decided that the Ministry of Commerce and TCP would review the exportable surplus of various commodities in consultation with the Iranian side and present a report in a follow up meeting to be held in the third week of this month.