KARACHI: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Iran’s Qazvin Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (QCCIMA) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, industry, infrastructure development and technical collaboration.
The MoU was signed by KCCI President Muhammad Rehan Hanif and QCCIMA President Hadi Abdian during the visit of a high-level QCCIMA delegation to the Karachi chamber. The signing ceremony was attended by Commercial Attache of the Iranian Consulate in Karachi Murad Nemati; Senior Vice President KCCI Muhammad Raza; Vice President KCCI Muhammad Arif Lakhani; Chairperson of the Special Committee for MoUs Implementation Junaid Esmail Makda; and members of the executive committee.
Highlighting the significance of the agreement, Hanif said the MoU reflects a shared commitment to expand commercial, economic and investment relations between Pakistan and Iran, particularly between Karachi and Qazvin province. He said both chambers have agreed to work closely to facilitate exports and imports, promote joint ventures and encourage private-sector-led growth in areas of mutual interest.
Under the MoU, the two sides will explore investment opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors, including livestock, poultry, fisheries, horticulture, greenhouse development, cold storage, seed improvement, farm mechanisation, irrigation systems, fertilisers and agro-processing. Cooperation will also extend to industrial and mining sectors such as oil and gas, packaging, dairy processing, milk production and value-added agricultural industries.
The agreement also provides a framework for collaboration in tourism, including health tourism, and the export of technical and engineering services for major infrastructure projects such as dams, roads, buildings, airports and railways. Hanif said such cooperation could help improve connectivity, facilitate technology transfer and create new business opportunities for both sides.
The two chambers also agreed to promote cooperation in the transportation and transit of goods, financial collaboration through joint banking and insurance initiatives, and the exchange of technical expertise, skilled professionals and modern technologies to support sustainable economic development.
Speaking at the ceremony, the QCCIMA president welcomed the partnership and said the MoU could lead to long-term institutional cooperation and stronger business-to-business linkages. He said Qazvin province offers opportunities in agriculture, industry and mining, and Iranian businesses are keen to engage with Pakistani counterparts, particularly through Karachi.
Both chambers agreed to nominate focal persons within two weeks to ensure follow-up and develop an implementation framework aimed at translating the MoU into practical projects and commercial outcomes.
