Tehran, Moscow Strive to Restore Long-Term Economic Cooperation
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Efforts of private sectors of Iran and Russia for expanding trade exchanges in the hard time of sanctions still continue by the chambers of commerce of both states.
In a virtual conference on developing Iran and Russia trade in the post-Coronavirus era which was held last week, chambers of commerce of Tehran and Moscow explored ways for developing trade between both states.
Addressing the webinar, Deputy for International Affairs at Tehran Chamber of Commerce Mr. Hesamoddin Hallaj said in Tehran that holding such meetings by the private sector of Iran is aimed at boosting the general knowledge of Iranian business activists about the environment and condition of trade in Russia and this meeting was focused on trade in Samara region in southwestern Russia. He stipulated that through such conferences, state-run bodies of both governments can be aware of shortages and needs related to expansion of bilateral economic relations. Hallaj then pointed that Tehran Chamber of Commerce with huge capacity of economic activists, who account for 45 percent of Gross National Product, is eager to make network through specialized associations.
He noted that small and medium-sized companies mainly shape the members of Tehran Chamber of Commerce which enjoy good international experiences but due to problems resulted by the U.S. sanctions in recent years they have not been able to enjoy advantages for launching normal trade relation with foreign partners and this is the duty of chambers to exert their supportive services to lift these hurdles and to ease international relations.
Hallaj also pointed to the economic cooperation between Tehran and Samara, noting the cooperation is definable in various fields like agro products, auto sector, oil and gas equipment, petrochemicals, industrial productions and educational services.
He said that the strategy of Iran’s private sector is restoration of long-term economic cooperation with Samara region, adding that both sides can, for example, have long term cooperation in agro sector and in extraterrestrial cultivation.
Hallaj added that since Samara is located on southwestern Russia, it can be used as a hub for transportation for traders of both countries.
On trade of goods with national currencies, he said Tehran Chamber of Commerce is interested to follow the issue in cooperation with its counterpart in Moscow until getting maximum result.
Elena Denisova, advisor to economy minister of Samara, for her part said in the webinar that Iran is a special trade partner for Samara Province, and said cooperation in fields like food industries, technology, medical, IT, environment, machine manufacturing. Air industries and ship-building, educational plans and tourism are appraisable.
Russia’s Trade Representation in Iran, Rustam Ziganshin, for his part, announced the readiness of the office for providing any needed information to those Russian companies which are keen to enter Iran’s market, adding that Tehran Chamber of Commerce has recently signed a bilateral MoU with Russia’s Exports Center which will be focused more on bilateral cooperation for expanding trade exchanges.
Meanwhile Rustam Ilingin, the director of agency for developing investment in Samara Province, for his part, briefed the participants in the webinar of trade condition in Samara.
