NGDIR News Section-Islamabad- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that his country is ready to enhance the value of trade transaction with Pakistan up to $10 billion within a couple of months.
  
  
   The Iranian President was talking to Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani late Thursday evening in Islamabad and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest in a frank and cordial atmosphere.
  
  
   They also discussed bilateral cooperation in various fields such as energy, banking, agriculture, infrastructure, and trade, the Prime Minister's Office said.
  
  
   'Both leaders agreed to pursue the energy projects, including electricity and gas on fast-track basis. They also discussed the status of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline,' a statement from the PM office said.
  
  
   Both leaders also decided to improve the border management to facilitate transportation of goods, it said.
  
  
   Both sides showed their willingness to open a new border point at Gabd and Reemdan between the two countries along the coastal highway of Pakistan.
  
  
   The Iranian side also indicated its keen interest to import one million tonnes of wheat and 200,000 tonnes of quality rice from Pakistan within weeks.
  
  
   The Pakistani side explained about the progress made in connection with opening of the office of Pakistan Consulate General at Bandar Abbas to facilitate trade and travel.
  
  
   Earlier, Prime Minister Gilani underscored the affinities between both countries, stressing that shared culture, religion, border and history would help tap immense trade potential existing between them.
  
  
   The Prime Minister also extended his deep gratitude to the Iranian leader on his country’s provision of electricity to Gawadar area in southwestern Balochistan province.
  
  
   Gilani said that the import of electricity from Iran would partially alleviate the electricity deficiency in the country.
  
  
   From Pakistan side those who attended the meeting included Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Advisor on Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr. Asim Hussain, Minister for Communications Dr. Arbab Alamgir, Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Textile Industries Makhdoom Shahabuddin and Senior Government Officials.
  
  
   Those who attended from Iran included Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, Advisor and Head of President office Esfandyiar Rahim Mashaei, Vice President for Executive Affairs Hameed Baghaie, Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Alireza Haghighian, and other senior officials.