TEHRAN (Iran News) – Secretary General of Iran-Turkey Joint Chamber of Commerce says that since the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2021), Iran’s non-oil exports to Turkey have been valued at $4.2b and at the same time imports from Turkey in this period have been around $3.5b while Iran’s non-oil exports to Turkey stood at $800m last year.
Speaking to ILNA, Mehdi Mousai talked about the possible visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Tehran and their talks on economic issues and said this visit has not been fixed yet but it is imminent. He noted that there are some problems which should be raised and solved during Turkish President’s visit to Tehran. He added that one of the problems is the extra tax that Turkey gets from Iranian traders which will be probably discussed in the meeting, adding that border problems is the other issue which is to be tackled in the meeting to ease the trade.
Mousavi noted that a proposal for bilateral free trade between the two countries will be also discussed in the meeting, stated that the chamber has offered its proposals and if they are accepted and implemented they will boost the trade between Ira and Turkey.
He said Turkey gets 6% extra tax from Iranian traders and it is claimed it is because of the banking problems and this tax is known as KDV.
Mousavi went on to say that many Turkish companies face problems in trade with Iran, adding that the foreign trade of Turkey is estimated at $525b and it makes the condition hard for Turkish companies to work with a country which is under the sanctions. He added that he does not think a long term agreement between Iran and Turkey to be signed. He said the difference between Russia and China with Turkey is their independence as Turkey’s foreign debts are around $481b and it is mostly to the U.S.
Mousavi said that fortunately the trade between Iran and Turkey is getting better because the prices of Iranian goods are much better because energy and labor force are cheaper in Iran. He stated currently and for this reason the trade balance with Turkey is positive in favor of Iran adding that this year Iran’s non-oil exports to Turkey have been fivefold comparing to the previous year.
