TEHRAN (Iran News) – Chairman of Iran-Qatar Chamber of Commerce Adnan Mousapour says despite having good political relations, the trade between Iran and Qatar has not changed so much.
Speaking to ILNA, Mousapour said the creation of an economic bloc among the Persian Gulf states requires resolving political disputes among the countries, adding that Qatar and Oman are friends of Iran and Kuwait is a neutral country and if a union is formed based on these countries, a 400-to-500-billion-dollar market will be shaped which can meet many needs of Iran.
On the current condition of trade between Iran and Qatar, he said the trade between these two countries is currently static and the trade volume is around $250m that it slightly fluctuates but it has a quiet trend which has not changed so much in the past year and as long as the general issues of the national economy are not resolved, the condition will remain so.
Mousapour noted as long as megaprojects are not defined and good relations are not restored, economic issues are not prioritized and political issues in the region are not settled, one should not expect any improvement.
He went on to say that the total imports of Qatar stood at around $29b in 2019 while Iran’s share of it was a figure between 230 to 240 million dollars. He added when exports are not supported or they are restricted and when the exporters are being left alone in the very competitive market of Qatar and there is no special support of the private sector, why should everybody expect development in the trade?
Mousapour added that all exports have been done because of the capability of the private sector despite complicated domestic regulations and international sanctions.
On the bartering trade between Iran and Qatar, he said Iran’s imports from Qatar are around $50m per year so there is no barter and if there is, its amount is very insignificant and is between the private sector traders.
Mousapour also reiterated trade and economy demands good and amicable ties with the export destinations in order to enter short or long term contracts for imports and exports, adding that Qatar has resolved its dispute with its neighboring countries based on its country and people’s interests and with resolving a dispute with Saudi Arabia, its market will become more competitive.
He stipulated if Iran can be involved in mega projects in the region with Kuwait and Qatar as their centers and in cooperation with countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE, it will be definitely not against Iran’s interests and the country can benefit it.
On the impacts of the FATF, Mousapour said the total trade of the country and therefore trade with Qatar is under the influence of the FATF because Iran’s trade lacks tools that other traders have for competition in the competitive market and it is like going to war with the sword against an enemy armed with machine-gun.
