Iran to Establish Trade Center in Russia, Boosting Economic Ties

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking at a recent meeting, Dehghan Dehnavi outlined Iran’s ambitious plans to develop trade centers in key target countries, with Russia as a priority destination. The initiative, supported by Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, aims to strengthen the presence of Iranian brands abroad and enhance direct trade links with global markets.

Dehghan Dehnavi emphasized the importance of creating trade hubs that allow Iranian exporters to sell directly to consumers without intermediaries. “Our shopping centers must enable Iranian exporters to offer their goods directly to end consumers at their destinations,” he said. He added that these centers would serve as platforms for Iranian businesses to establish a stronger foothold in international markets.

The TPO chief also revealed that the National Brand Commission has been transferred from the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Trade to his organization. “We have a clear plan for brand development,” he said. “We believe our exporters must elevate their brands to ensure a more robust presence in target markets.” This move is part of a broader strategy to maximize the benefits of trade agreements with other nations and counter the effects of sanctions.

Dehghan Dehnavi hailed the free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as a significant achievement for Iran. Signed previously, the deal connects Iran to a market of five EAEU countries—Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan—with a combined trade volume of $850 to $900 billion. “This agreement is undoubtedly an excellent tool that can mitigate some of the impacts of sanctions,” he noted, describing it as a means to bypass restrictions imposed by what he called “unjust sanctions” against Iran.

He emphasized that the trade pact offers mutual opportunities, with the greatest benefits accruing to the country that best capitalizes on them. “Increased imports are not necessarily negative if they come from a reliable source at competitive prices and high quality,” he said. “However, boosting exports brings even greater advantages for the country.” To safeguard domestic production, the agreement includes protective measures allowing a country to act if a surge in imports threatens local industries, provided it notifies the other party.

Iran is currently negotiating with more than 10 countries to sign preferential or free trade agreements, some of which are nearing completion, Dehghan Dehnavi disclosed. He argued that lifting sanctions would amplify the economic benefits of these pacts, noting a global shift from reliance on the World Trade Organization (WTO) to regional trade unions. “Thirty years ago, the focus was on WTO membership, but today, regional unions dominate global trade,” he said, citing the United States’ withdrawal from several multilateral agreements as a driving factor.

“Trade unions have become the main trend in global commerce,” he continued. “We must define our role in collaborating with or securing permanent membership in these unions.” Iran’s efforts in this direction include leveraging its observer status in the EAEU to deepen ties.

To institutionalize its engagement with the EAEU, Iran has established a secretariat for the agreement within the TPO. Dehghan Dehnavi confirmed that the secretariat, promised during a presidential visit to the Eurasia Expo, is now operational and awaiting formal structural approval. “This secretariat will represent Iran in the EAEU, where we hold observer status,” he said. “It’s a purely commercial entity that will allow us to participate in all union meetings.”

The secretariat will monitor developments, conduct studies, and coordinate with commercial attachés from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support Iran’s objectives. Dehghan Dehnavi highlighted a disparity in trade representation, noting that while many countries trading with Iran deploy 10 to 20 commercial attachés, Iran typically assigns only one per country. “This shows we need to expand our structure in this area,” he admitted.

The establishment of the trade center in Russia and the broader push for trade agreements reflect Iran’s determination to bolster its economy amid external pressures. By enhancing its brand presence and securing favorable trade terms, Iran aims to turn opportunities into tangible gains, positioning itself as a competitive player in regional and global markets.