Abattoir with Iran cooperation to open on 25th : Shahbaz

[Salman]

Abattoir with Iran cooperation to open on 25th : Shahbaz

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday that Muslim countries should join hands for collective progress and launch joint ventures in different sectors.

He said agreements had been signed between the Punjab and Turkey during the last three years for joint projects while a modern slaughterhouse had been set up in the provincial metropolis with the collaboration of Iran, which would be inaugurated on December 25.

He was talking to Iranian Consul General Muhammad Hossain Baniasadi. The chief minister said Pakistan and Iran had deep-rooted brotherly relations and there was a need to transform them into trade and economic ties. He said that both the countries could launch joint ventures for promoting bilateral relations.

He said Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should work together for development of different sectors. He said the Punjab government had created a favourable atmosphere for foreign investment and all projects were being executed in a transparent manner. He said implementation on agreement with Turkey for cooperation in solid waste management would start from February.

He said measures were being taken for promoting mutual cooperation with Iran and the joint venture of setting up a modern slaughterhouse in Shahpur Kanjran had been completed.

He said Iran imported huge quantity of meat from Australia, Brazil and other countries while Pakistan was its neighbouring country and the aerial distance between Lahore to Mashhad was about two-and-a-half hours and that is why fresh meat could be exported to Iran daily from the Punjab through chartered planes. Shahbaz said Iran and Pakistan should sign a trade agreement on meat worth 150 million dollars which the Punjab was fully capable to export.

He said that besides the livestock sector, the Punjab, Iran and China could also jointly start the sMetro project. He said talks were being held with the Chinese company, NORINCO, in this regard, adding that Iran should also consider cooperation in the project of setting up a veterinary university in Bahawalpur.