Iran, Uzbekistan to Set Up a Joint Commercial Committee
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Iran and Uzbekistan yesterday in a virtual conference signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for setting up a joint commercial committee in order to expand bilateral economic cooperation.
In a virtual meeting, Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce Gholamhossein Shafei and his Uzbek counterpart Mr. Ikramov Adkham signed the MoU.
Addressing the meeting, Shafei emphasized that bolstering the economic cooperation and increasing exchanges with neighboring states are of the major priorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He added that Uzbekistan due to its cultural, historic, economic and geographical commonalities with Iran is of great importance to the country.
Shafei further said that due to the strategic position and access to the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, Iran is considered as an important link for Uzbekistan to join the world. He noted that joint cooperation in the form of regional organizations like ECO will increase security ratio beside economic advantage in the region.
The head of Iran Chamber of Commerce added that Iran with its massive infrastructures, efficient producers, human resources and economic capacities is the center of international attention, as the country is located in a region where 70 percent of world gas and 40 percent of gas exists and for this reason it can play a considerable role in providing the world with energy.
Shafei also pointed to the capabilities of Iran in the technical and engineering services, stating that Iranian companies have brilliant records in the region in the fields of road, expressway, and construction fields, and Iran’s private sector’s brilliant record in the mining sector and Uzbekistan’s world ranking in having gold, copper and uranium mines can also pave the ground for joint and constant bilateral cooperation.
He added that Iran and Uzbekistan further said both countries can also cooperate in other fields like agro, foodstuff, dried fruits, detergent, iron, steel, tile, ceramic and fertilizers.
Shafei noted that Iran by relying on its indigenous knowhow and experts have progressed considerably in some fields like nano and bio technologies in recent years and Uzbekistan can take advantage of it through exchange of experiences and technical knowledge.
He noted that although the trade volume of Iran and Uzbekistan has increased from $186m in 2018 to $411m in 2019 but they can boost it because of their capabilities through lifting hurdles.
He expressed hope that signing the MoU and setting up the joint commercial committee by chambers of commerce of both countries would increase joint and constructive cooperation for expanding bilateral economic cooperation.
Meanwhile Chairman of Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce Mr. Ikramov Adkham, for his part, referred to the commonalities of both countries, exchange of trade delegations and phone talks between presidents of both countries as the sign for the will of both countries for developing bilateral economic relations.
He also said Iran’s rotating presidency in ECO Chamber of Commerce is a good opportunity for expansion of economic ties between Iran and Uzbekistan.
Meanwhile Uzbekistan Ambassador to Tehran Mr. Bakhodir Abdullaev, for his part, said he believes the MoU for setting up the joint commercial committee between Iran and Uzbekistan will bolster quality of their economic relations. He added that Uzbekistan’s new strategy for its foreign policy is centered on boosting economic ties with neighboring states, and ties with Iran due to abundant commonalities is of great importance to Uzbek government.
He added that so far over 250 companies in Uzbekistan have been launched through participation of foreign investors as 25 of them have been launched fully with participation of Iranian investors and it is expected that by setting up of the joint commercial committee, Iranians would continue their economic activities in Uzbek market with more ease.
