Iran-China Trade Office to Focus on Non-Oil Exports
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Head of Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce Majid Reza Hariri says the project for developing non-oil exports to China is one of the priorities of the private sector and it is better in the first phase of launching Iran-China Trade Office in Shanghai, China, it should be taken into consideration.
Speaking in the meeting with representatives of big state-run companies, Hariri said according to the plans, the trade office is to be launched by the end of 2020. He said state-run companies are to cooperate with Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce for launching the trade office in Shanghai.
He delved into details of launching trade office in Shanghai, saying that the trade offices are aimed at accelerating economic cooperation between the two countries and launching the Iran-China Trade Office is not an exception. He added that preparations have begun for setting up the trade office in China and now it is good time for launching such an office.
Hariri added that since the pandemic has led to restrictions for travels among countries, it is good time for preparing the grounds for cooperation for the time when the restrictions are lifted.
He admitted that it is the first experience for the country for launching such a trade office, adding that between 2009 and 2013, Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce had offices in Shanghai but due problems and the U.S. sanctions their activities were suspended.
Hariri admitted that during the nuclear talks and signing the JCPOA, the issue of reopening the trade office in China was forgotten and was put on hold.
He reiterated that the U.S. reimposition of sanctions and pulling out of the JCPOA made the government work on this issue in the past year and Iran’s Chamber of Commerce was assigned to relaunch trade offices abroad.
He added that since Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce has experience of years of activities, China is the first place that Iran can practically start its trade activities.
Hariri reiterated that of course Iranians have purchased a trade office in Syria but it is totally different with trade offices in Iraq, Afghanistan and China, and each has its own characteristics and each can work in a certain field.
On choosing Shanghai as the first venue for the trade office, he said Iran has had trade office in Shanghai and it can use the same place for the office, adding that Shanghai is one of the major commercial cities of China, noting that although Beijing is the political capital of the country, the heart of its trade is Shanghai and Iran should take advantage of this opportunity.
Hariri said that Iranians should take advantage of China’s market because China is one of the biggest consuming countries in the world and it is one of the biggest importers. He reiterated that China’s 1.4b population is incomparable with the markets of Iraq and Afghanistan.
On the Iran-China 25-Year Strategic Accord and its impact on the trend of cooperation of private sector, he said the accord is more a media hype but what is seen as the strategic cooperation between Iran and China is to prioritize expansion of trade relations, and the colorful role of the private sector should be highlighted.
Hariri noted that the first phase of Iran-China trade office will open in Shanghai to serve Iranian companies for exports to China’s market. He further said imports of machinery and needed items are of the primary goals of the office.
He added that in the second phase, attraction of Chinese companies and serving Chinese companies through Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce will be on the cards.
