Mashhad and Samarkand Chambers of Commerce Sign Two Cooperation Agreements

TEHRAN (Iran News) The delegation, led by Khorasan Razavi Governor Gholamhossein Mozaffari and Mohammadreza Tavakolizadeh, president of the Mashhad Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, aimed to bolster economic relations, explore joint investment opportunities, and expand private-sector interactions between the two nations.

The visit, which kicked off in Samarkand, included a packed agenda of business negotiations, B2B meetings, and strategic discussions with economic officials and stakeholders in Samarkand and Bukhara. A key highlight of the trip was the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the governors of Khorasan Razavi and Samarkand, as well as the presidents of the chambers of commerce of both provinces.

The MoUs, formalized during a joint trade forum, focus on boosting trade volumes and promoting joint investments in industries such as agriculture, mining, tourism, and transportation. They also outline plans for infrastructure and logistics projects to streamline trade, explore export and co-production opportunities in industrial and agricultural goods, and establish joint working groups to oversee the agreements’ implementation. These agreements mark the beginning of a new chapter in economic collaboration between the two regions.

Tavakolizadeh emphasized the pivotal role of the private sector in deepening Iran-Uzbekistan trade ties. “We believe cooperation between Khorasan Razavi and Samarkand must be practical and results-driven,” he said. He highlighted the province’s strengths in agriculture, mineral industries, energy, and IT, paired with its strategic location, as key assets for fostering effective partnerships with Uzbekistan. Samarkand’s historical and economic significance along the Silk Road further positions it as a vital long-term investment partner.

Beyond the MoUs, both sides committed to forming specialized task forces to ensure the agreements translate into tangible outcomes. Tavakolizadeh noted opportunities for technology transfers and joint production, particularly in mining and industrial manufacturing, leveraging Samarkand and Bukhara’s industrial potential alongside Khorasan Razavi’s resources. Improved transportation links were also a priority, with discussions on optimizing transit routes and a proposal for direct flights between Mashhad and Samarkand to boost tourism and trade.

Tourism emerged as another focal point, with both Mashhad and Samarkand recognized as historic and cultural hubs. Tavakolizadeh proposed joint tourism routes, visa facilitation, and combined travel packages to enhance cultural and commercial exchanges. Governor Mozaffari echoed the need for stronger economic ties, stressing that current trade levels fall short of the regions’ potential and urging more robust steps toward industrial and commercial growth.

Samarkand’s Deputy Governor Shenkur Khodayberdiyev underscored the need to activate untapped economic potential between Iran and Uzbekistan, advocating for targeted trade policies to elevate bilateral commerce. Meanwhile, Iran’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Mohammadali Eskandari, invited Samarkand and Bukhara business leaders to Iran’s Expo 2025 in May, highlighting the absence of barriers to industrial and trade cooperation and the deep historical ties binding the two nations.

This visit and the resulting agreements signal a renewed commitment to transforming shared heritage into modern economic prosperity for Iran and Uzbekistan.