Captain Amarinder Singh Moots A Punjab Iran Chamber Of Commerce To Boost Trade
Invites Iranian Envoy To 550th Prakash Purb
5 Dariya News
5 Dariya News
Chandigarh , 24 Sep 2019
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday mooted a dedicated Punjab-Iran Chamber of Commerce to harness investment potential between two sides, while seeking technical transfer with the Gulf nation in the critical areas of water conservation, agriculture and Agro products.Interacting with Iran's Ambassador to India, Ali Chegeni, who called on him here this afternoon, Captain Amarinder Singh also extended his personal invite to the envoy to attend the 550th Parkash Purb Celebrations. The Chief Minister informed the envoy that he had already taken up with the Government of India the issue of starting special charter flights from Tehran to Amritsar for facilitating Sikh pilgrims expected to visit during the historic occasion.Highlighting the role of the Sikh community in strengthening the Iranian economy, the Chief Minister stressed on the need to take people to people relations forward. He asked the Chief Secretary to initiate student exchange programmes between Punjab and Iran Universities, while also suggesting promotion of B2B interactions.The quantum of exports of premium quality rice, fruits and dry fruits to Iran could be further increased, the Chief Minister said, noting that Iranian urea was amongst the major import items for the state.The Chief Minister assured the visiting envoy that the state government would provide all possible support and cooperation to the Iranian investors who wish to set up their industrial units in the state.Nostalgically recalling his only visit to Iran, when he had led a delegation of State Agriculture Ministry which he was heading at the time, in 1976, Captain Amarinder termed his two month stay as a learning experience. The Ambassador invited Chief Minister to visit Iran again soon.Thanking the Chief Minister for his hospitality and cooperation, the Ambassador lauded the various initiatives undertaken by the state government for promoting industry in the last two and half years.Acceding to a suggestion from Captain Amarinder, the envoy, who is attending an event in Patiala tomorrow, also decided to visit the Samana shrine said to belong to descendent of Prophet Muhammad Imam Sayyed Mash-had Ali during his stay.The meeting was also attended by NRI Affairs & Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Senior Advisor to the CM Lt. Gen. (Retd.) T S Shergill, Chief Minister's Media Advisor Raveen Thukral, Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh, and Principal Secretary to CM Tejveer Singh. Other members of the visiting delegation included Counsellor Hossain Mohammadi.