Leader of the United Business Group President Zubair F. Tufail, Secretary General Zafar Bakhtawari, Secretary Information Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig and other Members of UBG congratulated Shah Mahmood Qureshi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Azam Khan Swati Minister of Railways, and Abdul Razak Dawood Advisor to PM on Commerce on inauguration of ITI cargo train.
While hailing the launching of Islamabad –Tehran – Istanbul freight train UBG declared it a milestone in expansion of commercial and economic activities in ECO region.
They said ITI freight train was a long-standing desire of the business community of Pakistan, Iran and Turkey which has now turned into reality. The freight train will go a long way in bringing the business community of ECO countries more closer resulting in expansion of economic ties and regional connectivity and also explore new avenues for expansion of trade. The volume of import and export will rapidly short up in the times to come in 3 important countries of ECO while significant economy growth will be witnessed in entire ECO region.
The UBG leader said that the length of ITI railway is 6500 km of which 2570 km is in Iran, 2000 km is in Turkey and about 1900 km in Pakistan which take less than half the shipping time and will also be safer and more economical as compared to road. The UBG urged upon the business community to make use of ITI cargo train and make it a success and enhance connectivity amongst them self.
UBG members further suggested that Pakistan, Iran and Turkey may also initiate launching of passenger train so that tourism could have brighter prospects in ECO region.
