Uzbekistan Seeks to Utilize Chabahar Port for Exports
TEHRAN (Iran News) Head of ICCIMA Mr. Samad Hasanzadeh in a meeting with Fariddin Nasriev, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Iran, pointed out the historical, ethnic, religious, and cultural commonalities between the two countries as a suitable ground for increasing economic cooperation. He added that the economic relations between the two countries should grow alongside political and cultural relations. Iran’s economic potential was evident at the Expo where the Uzbek trade delegation participated.
Hasanzadeh emphasized the statistics, stating: Given Uzbekistan’s need for infrastructure development, Iran can invest in technical and engineering services across all provinces of Uzbekistan.
He emphasized the private sector’s interest in joint investments in Uzbekistan, continuing: We have substantial facilities in the pharmaceutical industry, producing the best drugs with international standards. We are ready to not only export medicines but also engage in joint ventures to transfer technology and production to Uzbekistan.
Regarding the Iranian Innovation and Technology House in Tashkent, Hasanzadeh mentioned that it was established in recent years but hasn’t been well-received by Uzbekistan. The Innovation and Technology House in Tashkent has high potential for cooperation. Additionally, there have been previous agreements in the knowledge-based sector, which have not been pursued following changes at the ministry level.
He further pointed out the significant capacities of major Iranian industrial companies in electricity production, dam construction, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical and health equipment, stating that the Iranian Chamber can facilitate the introduction, interaction, and cooperation of these companies with their Uzbek counterparts.
Hasanzadeh emphasized the numerous areas for joint investment, stating: Technical and engineering services, production of various building materials, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, construction and road building, food industries, leather, and apparel are among the areas of interest for Iranian companies for cooperation and joint investment with Uzbekistan. He also highlighted Iran’s transit advantage for Uzbekistan in accessing Europe.
One of the key areas of cooperation is the construction industry, Hasanzadeh said. There are significant opportunities in Iran’s construction industry, producing products with global standards and low prices. Iran also has a significant capacity in tiles and ceramics, utilizing high global technology in this industry.
He also noted: There have been good advancements in the production of agricultural products and greenhouse production in Iran; Iran can cooperate with Uzbekistan in this field.
Uzbek Ambassador Fariddin Nasriev, for his part, pointed to the Iran Expo last year, saying 10 companies from Uzbekistan participated, and this year, the list had increased significantly. He add: “We are preparing for the next Iran Expo, aiming for about 200 Uzbek companies to participate.”
Nasriev added: Due to the importance and high interest of Uzbek economic activists in the Iranian market, an 80-member delegation led by the First Deputy Minister of Energy traveled to Tehran to witness Iran’s production and export capabilities firsthand.
He also announced an upcoming investment conference in Uzbekistan, inviting all Iranian economic activists to attend on September 10th to familiarize themselves with Uzbekistan’s capabilities. Ministers and deputy ministers from Uzbekistan will participate, and Iranian companies are invited to attend this trade forum.
He continued: We are transparent about the capacity of the Uzbek market. Annually, about 900 million dollars’ worth of medicines are imported to Uzbekistan; the volume of medicine imports is high, and we are interested in Iranian companies setting up quality drug production lines in Uzbekistan. We have also met with a medical equipment manufacturing company.
The Uzbek ambassador in Tehran mentioned that a contract has been signed with a major Iranian pharmaceutical company, and efforts are being made to expand these collaborations. To further develop relations, we want a trade delegation from Iran to visit Uzbekistan and meet with our Minister of Health.
The ambassador highlighted the pharmaceutical needs in his country, noting that there is potential for exporting pharmaceutical products from Iran and even establishing drug production lines in Uzbekistan. With a population of 36 million and a large Central Asian market accessible through Uzbekistan, this collaboration is promising.
He continued: We pursue a balanced policy in transportation and logistics. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is under construction, and we are interested in utilizing the Chabahar port to enable Uzbek companies to export through it. We are in talks with Indian officials, who have leased land in Chabahar for ten years. We hope to enhance cooperation with Tehran further.
