Iran Needs a “Trade Atlas” to Modernize Commerce and Defend Against Sanctions

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking with Iran Chamber Online, Madani criticized traditional trade models as outdated and inefficient. He stressed that in the aftermath of the recent 12-day conflict, Iran’s adversaries are likely to turn to economic pressure rather than military confrontation. “Tools like the snapback mechanism—or even harsher alternatives—could be used to isolate Iran economically. We must act quickly to make the economy more resilient,” he said.

Madani identified Iran’s heavy dependence on raw material exports as a key structural weakness. Much of this trade, handled by state-owned entities, is exposed to sanctions and political risks that can result in blocked revenues abroad. “We’ve seen cases like large-scale iron ore exports to India—any political shift in the destination country could halt those exports overnight,” he warned.

This inflexibility has already cost Iran access to several markets, partly due to a failure to respond to shifts in global trade patterns. As a result, Iranian trade is now vulnerable not just to foreign sanctions but also to unpredictable domestic policy changes.

To combat these risks, Madani proposed the “Trade Atlas”—a coordinated national effort to streamline essential imports and expand strategic, high-value exports. The system would focus on empowering mid-tier exporters, improving access to real-time trade data, and reducing dependency on politically sensitive trade routes.

According to Madani, this approach could triple foreign exchange income from non-oil exports while maximizing the use of Iran’s abundant resources and production capacity. “It’s a smarter way to trade,” he said. “And it’s much cheaper and more effective than outdated methods like trade fairs or brochure-based marketing.”

Madani emphasized that the Trade Atlas must be a collaborative project, involving both government institutions and private sector stakeholders. He outlined a proposed breakdown of responsibility:     Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade: 20%; Ministry of Economy and its research institute: 16%; Trade Promotion Organization: 11%; Central Bank, Customs, and Foreign Ministry (combined): 16%; Vice Presidency and Supreme Council for Non-Oil Exports: 10%; Iran Chamber of Commerce (private sector): 5%; and Fintech startups, data analysis firms, and media: 2% each

He also stressed the importance of innovation, calling for AI-powered platforms and advanced market analytics to replace outdated promotional tools like multilingual websites and printed catalogs.

Madani urged large exporters—particularly those with tens of millions of dollars in annual trade—to lead the way. “The cost of investing in a personalized Trade Atlas strategy is comparable to participating in one international exhibition,” he said. “But the return could be transformative, not just for the company but for Iran’s economy as a whole.”

He pointed to global examples, including Germany, Canada, Chile, Vietnam, and South Africa, where similar strategic trade mapping tools have fueled export growth and market diversification.

While the complete rollout of the Trade Atlas could take up to two years, Madani advised traders to start now, especially those with financial capacity and long-term vision. Early adopters, he said, can demonstrate the model’s viability while gaining a first-mover advantage in foreign markets.

“This isn’t just a policy proposal—it’s a strategic investment,” Madani concluded. “If we act wisely today, we can safeguard our economy from future shocks and establish a more dynamic, competitive presence in the global trade arena.”