Tehran Calls on Tokyo for Joint investment in Chabahar
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Deputy Head of Deputy Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) for International Affairs Mohammad-Reza Karbasi in a meeting with the new officials and former head of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Tehran called for boosting trade between Iran and Japan through different mechanisms like barter trade.
In the meeting, Mr. Karbasi pointed to the decline in bilateral trade exchanges between Iran and Japan due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus and the U.S. sanctions, and deplored that Iran still continues its relation with neighboring states, India and China, and it has some solutions.
He added that Iran is currently using the mechanisms of bartering goods and using national currencies in its trades for saving its trade exchanges, adding that theses mechanisms can also be used in Iran and Japan ties. He also stated that trilateral cooperation between Iran, Japan and neighboring states can be another solution, he added.
Karbasi also pointed to the establishment of joint Iran-Japan commercial committee, adding that this committee has been the arm of the international affairs department of Iran Chamber of commerce and its members can pursue the issues practically and present solutions for problems.
He also referred to the ties between Iran and South Korea, saying some $8b of Iran’s money is in South Korean banks but this country is even not ready to let basic goods, foodstuff, medicines and medical equipment be exported to Iran. He further said that while some part of Iran’s money is still in Japan, this country can pave the ground for sending medicines and medical equipment to Iran.
He also raised the suggestion for joint investment of Iran and Japan in the free zones of Iran like Chabahar.
Meanwhile the new head of JETRO office in Tehran Mr. Takayuki Suzuki, for his part, said that the main goal of this center is to introduce Iranian traders and Iran’s trade potentials to their Japanese counterparts, adding that some Japanese companies have been active in Iran and some of them have returned to Tehran, and continuation of trade with Iran is important for them.
He added that Japanese traders need information about Iran’s potential and its trade condition, expressing hope that it can gain it through cooperation with Iran Chamber of Commerce.
Suzuki also pointed to a webinar on e-trade which is to be held by JETRO in cooperation with Iran’s Embassy, adding that the webinar will be in November and the center will inform Iran Chamber of Commerce of exact time of it.
The outgoing head of JETRO Mr. Shinobu Nakamuru was also present in the meeting.
