ISLAMABAD (Dispatches) - Iran has expressed keen interest in entering into a partnership with Pakistan to explore possibilities in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which falls under the ambitious One Belt, One Road (OBOR).
The remarks were made as Iran's Minister for Roads and Urbanisation Abbas Akhoundi visited Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on Friday along with a high level Iranian delegation, reports the Dawn.
Exhibiting interest in transshipment cargo, the Iranian minister underscored that his country is keen to work with Pakistan for inter-connection linkage between Karachi port and Iranian port city Bandar Abbas.
Furthermore, the minister touted the ample space of 204,000 hectares available at Bandar Abbas for promoting transshipment cargo handling facility.
Iran is right next to Pakistan geographically having the strategic advantage as both share the ocean waters which will thus help Iran to carry on trade with china as well via Gwadar port (CPEC).
On a related note the Iranian delegation took keen interest in the deepwater container port project of KPT as well and it was given a tour of the South Asia Pakistan Terminals Ltd at the Deepwater Container Port, according to the report.
********A high-level Iranian delegation led by Minister for Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhundi has visited the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to explore avenues of cooperation with Pakistan