The Rashakai Special Economic Zone under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is getting very encouraging response as more than 2000 investors have shown interest to set up their industrial units in the zone. The applications of all such investors to set up their units would be processed in a transparent manner to allocate appropriate space within the zone, a progress review meeting on the development and groundbreaking of Rashakai SEZ was informed here on Thursday. The meeting was presided over by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, and was attended by provincial finance Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Taimur Khan Jhagra and senior officials of the federal and provincial governments. The meeting was briefed on the progress of work at the SEZ. The meeting was informed that the camp office at the site had been established, while the first industrial unit had started its construction work within the zone. The minister appreciated the work carried out by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC) and the development to setup Rashakai as the first SEZ in Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. He said that the relevant federal agencies would be directed to provide all necessary support and assistant to make the SEZ a success. Iran: Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Iran in Pakistan Mohammad Surkhabi here on Thursday stressed the need for further cementing bilateral trade, investment and cultural ties between both the countries which would be mutually beneficial for the people of two counties. Talking to a delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) led by its Chairman Qurban Ali, Surkhabi extended full cooperation of Iranian embassy and consulate to the Pakistani private sector for the promotion of investment and trade relations between both the countries. He said relationship between Pakistan and Iran was of special importance and increased relations between the two countries would also help in closer trade relations adding that the two countries have a larger business markets, besides geo-strategic competitive advantages. He called for availing these opportunities to increase the trade volume between Pakistan and Iran as both the countries were tied with brotherly relationship and Iran was also willing to enhance the trade and cultural ties by addressing the issues faced by the businessmen of both the countries. Speaking on the occasion, Qurban Ali said Pakistan and Iran were neighboring, Islamic brotherly countries and strong economical relationship must be established between both the countries. He said bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Iran was very essential to boost the economy of both the countries. It was right time for both countries to make progress on trade mechanisms to facilitate business community of both the country, he said adding that Pakistan and Iran should work together to develop a special mechanism. He urged for opening bank branches at both side to enable business communities for making transaction to increase trade. Once the COVID situation would improve, there would be a regular exchange of delegation which would improve economical trade through B2B meetings and bring both nations more closer, he said adding that better trade relations between the two countries were in the wider interest of both the countries. Qurban Ali informed that the business community of Pakistan was ready to take all possible steps to promote trade and increase bilateral trade. He urged for removing tariff bearers, besides addressing the issues on priority basis and enhanced trade through air, rail, road and sea routes.