Iran’s Share of Qatar Imports “Only 3%”
Iran’s Share of Qatar Imports “Only 3%”
Head of Iran-Qatar Joint Chamber of Commerce Mr. Adnan Mousapour says Qatar has opened its doors to the world and the country imports goods worth $30b per year and Iran only accounts for 3 percent of its imports.

Iran’s Share of Qatar Imports “Only 3%”

IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TEHRAN – Head of Iran-Qatar Joint Chamber of Commerce Mr. Adnan Mousapour says Qatar has opened its doors to the world and the country imports goods worth $30b per year and Iran only accounts for 3 percent of its imports.

Speaking to ILNA, Mousapour said that although Qatar’s doors are open to the world for imports of goods and the country’s imports are around $30b annually, Iran’s share of exports to Qatar is insignificant and is around 3 percent of the total figure, expressing hope Iranian trade officials would take the issue seriously for boosting share of Qatar’s market.

He noted that Iran’s trade with Qatar after the Coronavirus pandemic and closure of borders are underway, adding that Iran’s exports to Qatar are limited to few agro products and foodstuff but it has not been halted. He added that exports of other goods usually do not happen or they are done under certain condition.

On the effects of Coronavirus on Iran’s exports to Qatar, he said he has no exact statistics and it should be announced by Iran’s Custom Administration but agro products and foodstuff have not faced any considerable fall.

He urged all Iranian traders not to enter Qatar market without signing official contracts, and before taking action, they should think about repatriation of the forex from their exports because in recent weeks, some traders have been struggling in returning their forex.

Mousapour added that in trade with Qatar, different foreign currencies like dollar and toman are used but dollar is the dominating currency in Qatar.

He also criticized the government about its rhetoric towards the exporters on repatriating the forex, saying that currently it is only Iranian government which has taken such a punitive rhetoric against exporters in the current condition.

He noted that Iran’s major exports are in two big, and small and medium parts, and small and medium part earns the country some $10b and it is earned in countries like Iraq, UAE and the Central Asia and repatriation of forex is crucial for exporters to run their businesses and it leads to boost in occupation in the country.

Mousapour added that the government blames exporters for recent forex problem is a wrong address to the economic activists and decision-makers, and recent challenges have nothing to do with exporters because in some cases, it takes one year to repatriate the forex resulted from the exports.