FNA- Iranian and Pakistani officials in a meeting in Karachi underlined the need for broadening mutual cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting in Karachi on Friday, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoust and Governor of Southern Sindh Province Muhammad Zubair explored avenues for bolstering and reinvigorating bilateral relations in trade and economic fields.

"People of Pakistan and Iran are closely linked to each other through centuries old relationship based on common religious beliefs and cultural norms," Zubair said during the meeting.

"Karachi is the economic hub of Pakistan and restoration of peace has revived the potential it holds as a major port city in the region," he added.

Zubair invited Iranian investors to take advantage of the economic opportunities in the province that will serve both the sides.

Honardoust, for his part, said Iran will continue its support for the development of Sindh province.

In a relevant development in August, Iranian and Pakistani officials in a meeting in Islamabad discussed ways to boost the volume of their trade exchanges.

The Iranian and Pakistani officials attended a conference to expand economic and trade cooperation.

The conference was organized by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) at Pakistan's House which was also attended by Honardoust.

The Iranian envoy expressed the hope that such meetings would play an important role in strengthening the economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Referring to some problems in the bilateral trade, Honardoust said that resumption of banking channel would help in overcoming all the challenges the two countries are facing in enhancing the trade activities.

He added that Pakistan holds an important position in Iran’s foreign policy and the Islamic Republic wants to have strong relations with Pakistan in all areas.

Honardoust noted that both countries are striving hard to boost their bilateral trade ties and the trade between the two countries has witnessed a considerable growth this year as compared to last year.

Pointing to the achievements of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said Iran welcomes the connectivity project and is interested to become part of it.

Pakistani traders and business activists on the occasion said that they are willing to boost trade relations with Iran.

The first round of the talks was held between the two countries in Tehran in December 2016.

Iran and Pakistan have agreed to increase annual trade volume to $5 billion by 2021. In a major development after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the central banks of the two countries signed an agreement to resume the banking cooperation.