Iran, Kazakhstan Eye Trade in National Currencies, Barter
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Iran and Kazakhstan consider barter and trade in national currencies as the ways for boosting bilateral economic cooperation.
During forum on “the National Kazakhstan Economy Day” which was held at Iran’s chamber of commerce, Kazakhstan Ambassador to Tehran Askhat Orazbay in meeting with Head for International Affairs of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce Mohammad-Reza Karbasi Mr. Karbasi highlighted potentials and capabilities of Kazakhstan for investment and trade as well as advantages for presence in the country.
He said Kazakhstan is one of the biggest countries in Eurasia and it has borders with Russia and China. He noted there are 13 active special economic zones in Kazakhstan and each zone is good for investment for certain goods or services.
He added that since its independence 28 years ago, the country has taken major measures for developing its economy and many Russian, Arab, Chinese and Turkish companies have entered the country.
Orazbay noted that the government has exempted the special economic zones from tax for foreign investment, adding that companies after registering their companies can purchase land.
He noted that Kazakhstan’s economic growth has been around 4 percent this year and it is expected the figure to rise by the yearend.
He also pointed to recent agreement between Iran and Eurasian Union, adding that Iran can expand its trade with Eurasian Union members.
Orazbay added that over 864 items of goods with the least tariffs are exported from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Russia and Armenia to Iran. He noted that in return, 376 items of goods with the least tariff are exported from Iran to those countries.
Karbasi, for his part, pointed to the significance of strengthening economic relations between Iran and Kazakhstan and taking advantage of the agreement with Eurasian Union.
He added that using mechanisms of barter trade and trade in national currencies will help bilateral economic cooperation grow.
He also called for resolving transportation and banking problems and creating infrastructures in transportation especially in shipping.
