TEHRAN (Iran News) – Chairman of the Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber of Commerce Mr. Amir Abedi believes Iran and Kazakhstan’s good political and cultural relations do not match with their trade relations and both sides should work together to boost their economic relations.

Speaking to ICCIMA news website, Abedi said there are unique opportunities for investment of Iranians in Kazakhstan but so far Iranians have not taken advantage of the good political relations between both states for developing their economic activities.

He also pointed to restoration of a marine route between Iranian ports of Astara and Amirabad with Port of Aktau in Kazakhstan for shipping containers in the form of ro-ro ships, adding that reinforcing the trade and investment relations between Iran and Kazakhstan which is the second economic power in Eurasia is an important and essential action.

Abedi noted that diplomatic relations of Iran and Kazakhstan have always been good and close and without any doubt, such a close relationship between the governments can have a positive impact on building economic relations although currently, the trade and investment relations of both countries do not match with their political relations.

He also pointed to the fact that Kazakhstan is located on the Silk Road route, saying that due to Kazakhstan’s geographical position and being on the Silk Road, currently, the link between Iran’s Caspian Port with Kazakhstan’s Port of Kuryk and their connection to China market is one of the strong points in the issue of trade and relation with Kazakhstan.

Regarding have road and rail connections with Kazakhstan market Iran should pass Turkmenistan, he said for some time that Turkmenistan had closed its borders to Iranian goods and services, and at that time the joint chamber of Iran and Kazakhstan took an initiative to stop any disorder in the trade relation between Iran and Kazakhstan and it found an alternative route and the first ro-ro-ship services began between ports of Astara and Amirabad and Aktau due to the cooperation between Kazakhstan Customs Office and Iran’s Port and Maritime Organization.

He also criticized the overnight and sudden regulations as the main factor for lack of success in boosting trade which leads to instability in the national economy and mistrust in the trade partners in other countries.

He then reiterated that launching several direct flights between both countries is very necessary for developing relations and competitions with other actors in the target countries. He said the flights between Tehran and Almaty should increase, adding that the chamber is after launching direct flights between the city of Gorgan in Iran and Aktau which can be crucial in the tourism issue.

Abedi admitted lack of cognizance and proper understanding of cultural history, geography, capacities and tourism resources of Iran is one of the problems which has slowed down boosting ties with Eurasian states.

He also noted that problem in banking transactions between both countries is another hurdle in way of boosting bilateral trade, saying that in case sanctions are lifted, the costs and risks for Iranians will reduce and they can increase the trade exchanges between both countries which is currently is around $400b per year.