Russia Sets Up Trade Support Center in Tehran
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
Head of Russia’s Trade Representation Mr. Rustam Zhiganshin says Russia has set up a trade support center in Iran which is good news for Iranian economic activists.
Iran’s Chamber of Commerce yesterday hosted the Russia Economic Day forum where Zhiganshin exchanged views with Iranian activists. The forum was held to review the grounds for cooperation between Iran and Russia.
Addressing the forum, Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Deputy Head for International Affairs Mohammad-Reza Karbasi pointed to the cultural and historical commonalities of Iran and Russia which can help their economic cooperation to boost. He went on to say that Iran’s policy is focused on boosting interaction and constructive bilateral cooperation with the neighboring states and among them Russia is the top priority. Karbasi further said fortunately the relations between private sectors of Iran and Russia in recent years have been friendly and long-term ones.
He noted that the main task of private sectors is to remove hurdles in way of developing bilateral relations which have been emphasized by high-ranking officials.
He pointed to oil and gas, petrochemical industries, metals, food stuff, furniture, construction materials, medicines, technical and engineering services as the major fields for cooperation between Iran and Russia, adding that Russia’s eagerness to cooperate with different provinces of Iran is very important and Iranians should not miss this opportunity to expand relations with Russia.
Karbasi further said that the trade volume between Iran and Russia stood at $1.74b in 2018 and it is necessary Iran’s approach to change for having a positive trade balance for long-term.
He said that Russia’s imports stand around $240b annually and Iran’s share of exports to Russia is only around $540m and the figure comparing to the existing potentials is very insignificant.
He pointed to the preferential trade agreement between Iran and Eurasian Union as a new chapter for expansion of Iran’s trade relations with the regional states and reiterated that Iran’s chamber has provided ground for economic activists for taking advantage of it.
He also assessed as important the recent actions of Iranian and Russian governments like easing visa process, creating banking infrastructures and expansion of financial relations based on national currencies, and recommended Russian banks to open branches in Iran’s Anzali Port.
Karbasi also urged Russia’s representatives to resolve problems of truck drivers at Samur Border as well as customs office’s green corridor.
Meanwhile Zhiganshin, for his part, reiterated that despite the U.S. sanctions, the trade relations between Iran and Russia have increased adding that the trade volume between both states in the first nine months of 2019 has grown by 21 percent comparing to the same period last year while Russia’s exports to Iran have grown by 31 percent.
He said in 2019, 16 Russian delegation visited Iran and there are currently some projects underway and Iran has suggested some new projects.
Zhiganshin noted that the trade in agro field between both states has witnessed the most growth and medical equipment is the other field which has seen growth.
He announced the Russia’s free trade zones for investment in Iran, adding that Russia’s trade support center has been launched in Iran which is good news for Iranian economic activists.
