Tripartite Trade Alliance Proposed Between Tehran, Almaty, and Khorgos

TEHRAN (Iran News) The Tehran Chamber delegation began its first day of work in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s commercial capital, with a visit to Iran’s Consulate General, followed by talks with the head of Kazakhstan’s Free Economic Zones Association, who also heads the regional office of the World Free Zones Organization for Central Asia.

Najafi Arab introduced the Tehran Chamber as Iran’s oldest civil institution, representing nearly 47,000 members—both individuals and companies—who account for about 45 percent of the country’s GDP. He expressed readiness to expand cooperation with Kazakhstan’s private sector through business delegations, targeted webinars, participation in trade and economic events, and linking counterpart associations in both countries.

Highlighting the capabilities of Iranian private companies across different economic sectors, he emphasized Iran’s preparedness for joint investment and production, especially within Almaty’s industrial parks and free zones. While acknowledging the challenges sanctions have created for Iran’s economy, he noted that mutual determination could overcome such barriers.

Welcoming the Tehran Chamber’s high-level delegation, Yerbol Bukhariyev, head of Kazakhstan’s Free Economic Zones Association, underlined the long-standing ties and commonalities between Iran and Kazakhstan, while stressing the importance of adding China’s Khorgos region as a third partner.

“My concrete proposal is to establish a commodity exchange between Tehran, Almaty, and Khorgos,” Bukhariyev said. “This would allow all three sides to offer their goods and meet their demands in one platform.”

He recalled visits to Tehran prior to the 12-day imposed war in the region, and announced that Kazakhstan plans to hold a major exhibition on free and special economic zones in Tehran in 2026, inviting the Tehran Chamber to participate.

Mohammad Ali Rezaei, head of Iran’s Union of Medicinal Plants, Food Products and Saffron Producers and Exporters, highlighted Iran’s high demand for grains and the opportunities within the Iran–Eurasia trade agreement, of which Kazakhstan is a member. He suggested joint projects in grain and seed production, noting that Iranian companies have the capacity to cultivate and supply Eurasia’s needs in Kazakhstan.

Rezaei also pointed to issues in saffron exports, explaining that although 120 tons of Iranian saffron reaches China annually, only 30 tons are exported directly from Iran, with the remainder re-routed through third countries. He said a Tehran–Almaty–Khorgos trade hub could facilitate direct exports, leveraging zero tariffs between Iran and Kazakhstan as well as Kazakhstan and China, ensuring mutual benefits.

Ali Akbar Shamani, Deputy for Customs Affairs at Iran’s Customs Administration, emphasized the role of customs in easing trade. He noted that Iran has signed multiple customs cooperation agreements, citing the successful “green corridor” initiative with Russia as an example. He proposed establishing a similar framework with Kazakhstan to streamline bilateral trade. “Tripartite Trade”

Concluding the meeting, Najafi Arab announced that the Tehran Chamber will form a special working group to explore overseas cultivation in Kazakhstan and structured commodity exchanges between Tehran, Almaty, and Khorgos. He also encouraged bringing a delegation of knowledge-based startups to Almaty for matchmaking sessions with Kazakh counterparts.

He stressed the need for the private sector to be pragmatic and committed to following up on the proposals raised.