Competitiveness: The Key to Expanding Iran’s Exports to Russia

TEHRAN (Iran News) According to the Public Relations Office of the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, the session was convened to familiarize Isfahan-based businesses with international markets and identify competitive opportunities, paving the way for enhanced trade cooperation between the two sides.

During the meeting, participants discussed challenges related to pricing, strengthening Iranian brands, and the use of e-commerce platforms to introduce Iranian products to Russian consumers—key steps for enabling Isfahan companies to enter new markets.

Mohammadreza Gol-Ahmad, Chairman of the Corporate Social Responsibility Commission and a member of the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, stated that the main goal of such meetings is to help chamber members and economic actors gain insight into international environments, opportunities in foreign countries, and export markets where Iran holds comparative advantages.

He added that certain countries, due to logistics and shared borders, offer better conditions for exporting Iranian goods. The Chamber aims to identify these opportunities and present them to business owners so they can benefit from existing competitive advantages to expand their activities.

Yefimov Alexei Mikhailovich, the Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Iran, highlighted the challenges Iranian goods face in the Russian market. He explained that many Iranian products are significantly more expensive than their foreign counterparts, while Iranian brands still lack strong recognition and perceived quality in global markets. Russian consumers, he said, prefer products that are well-tested and competitively priced.

He noted that products such as Iranian ceramics, construction materials, and household goods have potential in Russia if they meet market standards and are offered at reasonable prices.

Mikhailovich emphasized the importance of using e-commerce platforms such as Ozon to introduce Iranian products to Russian consumers, saying this approach can enhance familiarity with Iranian goods.

Vasilly Yudovich Vdovin, Trade and Economic Representative of the Republic of Tatarstan, stressed the need for stronger economic cooperation between Iran and Tatarstan. He noted that Isfahan, with its industrial, cultural, and tourism capabilities, can play a pivotal role in expanding trade with Tatarstan.

He added that accurate planning and a long-term perspective are essential for achieving tangible results and boosting trade interactions. Only through continuous cooperation and joint initiatives, he said, can the two sides turn existing capacities into real economic opportunities.

Ali Heidari, a member of the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, underscored the importance of strengthening international engagement with Russia, calling it a promising market for Iranian traders.

He pointed to Iran’s membership in BRICS and its free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, saying these create valuable opportunities for cooperation with regional countries. To leverage these opportunities, he noted, traders from Iran and Eurasian countries—especially Russia—must maintain close interaction and share existing capacities.

Heidari emphasized the significant role the Chamber can play as a facilitator in strengthening commercial ties and increasing traders’ awareness of opportunities in the Russian market.

Asman Mahdizadeh, another member of the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the positive impact of Iran’s cooperation agreement with the Eurasian region, calling it an important opportunity for expanding trade relations. “Exports”

She said the agreement will provide valuable consultation and cooperation, aligning Iran’s trade routes more closely with Eurasian countries. Through these partnerships, Iranian traders can accurately identify which markets offer the best prospects for commercial expansion. “Exports”

Mahdizadeh emphasized that the agreement could play a key role in strategic planning for Iranian businesses seeking entry into Eurasian markets and could unlock new avenues for foreign trade. “Exports”

Mohammad Hossein Alijani, a Chamber member who has participated in several similar events, reiterated the importance and effectiveness of these meetings.

He stated that such gatherings offer valuable opportunities for expanding economic cooperation between Isfahan and Russia. Alijani proposed further improvements, suggesting that cooperation should be segmented by industry, with independent frameworks for each product or sector, which he believes would yield better results.