During the meeting, Uzbek Ambassador Abdullaev pointed to the current political phase in his country and new Uzbekistan president’s policies in economy and politics which have been positive.

IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

He said Uzbek President’s policies have boosted political convergence in the region as well as economic cooperation which have been unprecedented and fortified bilateral exchanges.

Mr. Abdullaev reiterated that in the new era, Uzbekistan economy has shifted towards open economy and the country has achieved some successes in this regard like Uzbekistan’s national currency has gained value by 2 percent.

He also pointed to the problems related to the transportation, adding that those problems can be solved in bilateral meetings and both sides can find new ways for transit and transportation.

Abdullaev further said that Uzbek government has always been after facilitating relations with neighboring states, adding that in the past one and a half years, the process for getting Uzbekistan visa for Iranians has been electronic, adding that Iranian investors by investing in big cities of Uzbekistan can get residence.

He also announced Uzbek Embassy’s readiness for cooperation with Iranian airliners, adding that Uzbekistan welcomes launching direct flight between both countries and talks with Uzbek airlines have also been successful and they welcome Iranian airliners.

On launching a joint trade committee in Uzbekistan’s Chamber, the diplomat said that last year, head of Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce during his visit to Tehran had talks on the issue and it was decided to form a coordinating committee in the chamber, expressing hope the joint committee would be set up this year which is an important step for expanding bilateral ties.

Abdullaev went on to say that Iran and Uzbekistan enjoy high potentials for cooperation in transit and Iran’s access to free waters and different destinations is one of those potentials.

Meanwhile Shafei, for his part, said Uzbekistan has positive approach and it makes the condition easier for expanding the trade ties.

He went on to say that the trade between both states has become easier in recent years, adding that there are abundant grounds for cooperation while both countries have neglected them and they should take advantage of them in the current condition.

He said for years Iran and Uzbekistan have cooperated in the agro sector and through the third party country South Korea and those cooperations could continue in Uzbekistan’s land, reiterating both countries have good capacity for cooperation in transport and transit fields.

Shafei also called for enhancing trade exchanges between Iran and Uzbekistan, adding that Iran’s Chamber of Commerce is ready to dispatch or to host economic delegations in order to strengthen economic relations.

He deplored that there is no direct flight between both countries, adding that talks are underway and one of Iranian airliners has announced readiness to resume flight to Uzbekistan. He added that the flight will have a stop in Kyrgyzstan. He urged Uzbekistan Embassy to cooperate more to materialize this big economic measure.

Shafei said that a committee on Iran-Uzbekistan trade has been launched in Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, asking Uzbek Ambassador to consult with Uzbek officials for launching the same committee in Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce.

He also called for setting up a legal office or arbitration center for easing trade between both countries especially for resolving disputes among business activists.

He reiterated that Iran’s Chamber of Commerce is ready to begin a serious and new move for trade with Uzbekistan, adding that Iran’s private sector is also ready for bartering goods and transit of goods.