Gwadar Pro
Islamabad: Pakistan and Iran are deepening economic integration through enhanced cooperation between Gwadar and Chabahar ports, new border infrastructure and expanded regional connectivity—efforts expected to complement broader trade networks and align with China’s BRI.
The momentum built during a Tehran meeting between Chabahar Free Zone CEO Mohammad Saeid Arbabi and Pakistan’s Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, where both sides explored mechanisms to expand bilateral trade, investment, logistics and transit cooperation.
Discussions focused on leveraging the Chabahar-Gwadar corridor and accelerating the proposed Rimdan-Gabd Joint Free Zone to facilitate cross-border investment and commerce. Both sides stressed the need to fully utilise ports, free zones and border crossings to boost bilateral trade and strengthen economic integration within the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).
Arbabi described Chabahar as Iran’s only oceanic free zone on international transport corridors, adding that closer ties with Gwadar could enhance logistics efficiency, attract investment and strengthen regional supply chains. He said the two ports should be viewed as complementary, not competitive, and proposed an independent joint border crossing between Rimdan and Gabd to cut transport time, raise cargo capacity and help achieve the shared goal of US$10 billion in bilateral trade.
Ambassador Siddiqui welcomed the proposals, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to expanding trade through Gwadar, Chabahar and the Rimdan-Gabd region, and noting that better border cooperation would boost prosperity for communities on both sides while reinforcing longstanding ties.
Separately, Sistan-Baluchestan Governor Mansour Bijar said recent talks with Pakistani authorities yielded positive outcomes, including support for barter trade arrangements and progress on removing rail, road and air transport obstacles, extending border operations and facilitating cargo movement. Key understandings include launching a maritime link between Chabahar and Pakistani ports, resuming passenger flights, strengthening rail connectivity and establishing joint mechanisms to implement bilateral agreements, with expert-level negotiations to begin within days.
