Tajikistan Envoy Calls for Boosting Trade With Iran
TEHRAN (Iran News) The President of Hamadan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, Rahim Mortazavi, pointed out the province’s capabilities, stating that 1,800 companies operate in various sectors within the province, producing 209 exportable goods that can be exported to 154 countries worldwide.
In the meeting with Tajikistan’s Ambassador in Tehran, Mortazavi highlighted Hamadan’s potential in mining, industry, medical, and tourism sectors, stating that these resources could also benefit Tajikistan.
He further mentioned that 59 of the goods needed by Tajikistan are produced in Hamadan, and they are ready to export these items to Tajikistan.
Mortazavi emphasized the desire to strengthen ties between Hamadan and Dushanbe, particularly in cultural weeks held in Dushanbe, and proposed greater involvement in these events.
He officially invited the Tajikistan Chamber of Commerce to visit Hamadan to familiarize themselves with the province’s economic potential.
Additionally, he requested the formation of a joint desk between Hamadan and Dushanbe or Kulob.
Mortazavi expressed the expectation that Tajikistan would share its list of traders with the Hamadan Chamber, which in turn will provide a similar list to Tajikistan.
He concluded his proposals by urging the ambassador to work on establishing a permanent policy-making council between Hamadan and Dushanbe, particularly focusing on creating joint mining companies.
A member of the Hamadan Chamber’s Board, Ramin Rahimian, discussed Iran-Tajikistan economic relations, noting that Tajikistan’s economy grew by 2.9% with an 8% inflation rate in 2021, marking the highest growth in 17 years, reflecting the hard work of economic activists and policymakers in the country.
Rahimian emphasized the increase in investment in Tajikistan’s mining sector during this period and highlighted Hamadan’s leading technical knowledge in this field, suggesting further collaboration.
He noted that Tajikistan’s primary trade partners, based on financial and trade transactions, include Russia (21.3%), Kazakhstan (18.5%), Switzerland (14.4%), China (13.2%), Turkey (6.1%), and Iran (1.9%), stressing that Iran’s share is insufficient considering the existing potential and should be increased.
Rahimian highlighted Hamadan’s capabilities in producing goods like foodstuffs, confectionery, pistachios, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, electrical appliances, and construction materials, all of which Tajikistan imports.
He mentioned that Hamadan’s food producers already export to 30 countries and that the province hosts two major medical and pharmaceutical equipment companies.
He also pointed out the production of orthopedic and spinal equipment, cement, rail track sleepers, electrical goods, wire and cable with global standards, and large cement production companies in the province ready to export to Tajikistan.
Additionally, Hamadan is the largest producer of potatoes, high-quality garlic, and grape-based products (such as raisins), and it is also a leading producer of handicrafts, pottery, and furniture.
Rahimian emphasized that Hamadan’s logistics and transport services, as the largest and primary ground transportation provider, could facilitate future trade exchanges.
He added that health services, student exchange, medical tourism, and technical and engineering services in the mining sector, supported by 1,200 experts, could further develop Hamadan’s economic relations with Tajikistan.
Tajikistan’s Ambassador in Tehran, Zahidi Nizamuddin Shamsuddinzada, emphasized the strong political ties between the two countries, noting that the Tajik President has visited Iran 21 times in the past 17 years, with 18 reciprocal visits by Iranian Presidents, reflecting these robust relations.
He highlighted the unique advantage of a shared language but noted that the cultural relationship, despite the sister-city ties between Hamadan and Kulob, has weakened and needs reinforcement.
The ambassador mentioned the existence of a joint Chamber of Commerce in Tajikistan with active participation from Khorasan economic players, expressing a desire for Hamadan’s Chamber to have a significant presence as well.
He underscored the availability of appropriate tools to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, such as a joint agreements follow-up committee, a joint Chamber of Commerce, and a joint policy-making council, urging both sides to work towards enhancing Hamadan-Tajikistan economic relations.
