SBP, Iran's central bank sign accord to improve banking ties

KARACHI - State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Bank Markazi Jomhouri Islami Iran (BMJII) have signed an agreement on Banking and Payment Arrangement (BPA) in Tehran.

A statement issued here by SBP on Friday said that Deputy Governor, SBP Riaz Riazuddin and Vice Governor BMJII Ghulamali Kamyab signed the agreement on behalf of their respective central banks.

The objective of the agreement is to provide a trade settlement mechanism to promote trade between Pakistan and Iran.

This mechanism will be used for the payment of trade conducted via letter of credit (L/Cs) and in accordance with international laws and regulations.

In the next step, both the central banks will invite banks in their respective jurisdiction to act as Authorised Banks for undertaking trade transactions under this BPA.

Details of the mechanism will be issued by SBP in due course, it was stated.

The State Bank of Pakistan expects this agreement to help strengthen trade links between the two countries, the statement said.