KARACHI: Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost has said that terrorism, which is result of poverty and illiteracy, is a common concern for Pakistan and Iran, and both countries must work collectively in order to deal with this menace. Exchanging views with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) office bearers and managing committee members during his visit to KCCI, the Iranian ambassador said without cooperation, impediments cannot be removed. KCCI President Younus Muhammad Bashir, Senior Vice President Zia Ahmed Khan, Vice President Muhammad Naeem Sharif, former president Majyd Aziz and managing committee members were also present on the occasion. Commenting on trade ties between the two countries, the Iranian ambassador said that business between the private sectors of both countries was not active and a lot of time and as well as opportunities were wasted in the past. “As a result, the bilateral trade and banking transactions between Pakistan and Iran are the lowest, which you will not find even in our neighbouring countries,” he said, adding that lack of trade-related information was one of the key reasons of low trade volume between the brotherly countries. He said that Iran and Pakistan have common concerns and common interests, adding that both are tied in the bonds of brotherhood but the volume of trade was not proportionate to the level of friendship. Honardoost said that Iranian businessmen were keen to enhance business with their Pakistani counterparts therefore; Pakistanis should come forward and start joint ventures with their Iranian counterparts. “We have no reservations, no limitations, no concerns and we are looking forward to provide 100 percent full-fledged cooperation to Pakistan in terms of trade.” The ambassador assured that Iranian Embassy in Islamabad and its consulate in Karachi were ready to extend cooperation to those businessmen and industrialists who are interested in enhancing trade with Iran by facilitating their contacts and interaction with their Iranian counterparts. “It is our responsibility to fully facilitate you and ensure contacts with the concerned Iranian businessman, while the rest is up to you,” he added. The envoy said his country wants to work closely with Pakistan and is always ready to offer all its capabilities not only for mega projects but also for smaller projects and the SMEs in Pakistan. Terming the projects of electricity import from Iran and Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline as key to boost bilateral relations, Honardoost said that Iran was ready to fulfil the growing energy needs of Pakistan, adding that IP Gas Pipeline was in the interest of both countries and Pakistan would get adequate gas at cheaper rates, which would result in enhancing the capacity of industrial production. Earlier, President KCCI Younus Muhammad, while welcoming the Iranian ambassador, said that the economic relations between Pakistan and Iran have improved significantly, giving way to further enhancement of bilateral trade. He noted that bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and Iran were healthy and based on trade of several commodities. “During the Fiscal Year 2015, Pakistan exported goods worth $31.45 million whereas the imports stood at $0.27 million.