Iran’s Products Are Unfamiliar to the Malaysian Market
TEHRAN (Iran News) Khairi bin Omar said on Thursday, in a gathering of several economic activists from Zanjan province, that there are numerous connections and commonalities between Iran and Malaysia, which necessitate the expansion of relations between the two countries.
Khairi bin Omar added that the two countries share many similarities in the food sector, and if imports and exports between them are established, accepting these similarities will become easier.
He emphasized that despite the existing restrictions and sanctions, the expansion of relations and financial interactions between the two countries will lead to economic growth and vitality on both sides.
He further noted that both parties must come together and create mutual relations in order to achieve practical outcomes.
The Bangladeshi ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran also mentioned in this meeting that the current trade volume between Iran and Bangladesh is $100 million annually, but this figure has the potential to surpass $1 billion.
Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury stressed the need for increased understanding and communication between economic activists from both countries. He mentioned that Bangladesh is active in the pharmaceutical and textile sectors and imports many chemical, petrochemical, and cement products from Iran.
He noted that some minerals from Zanjan are also imported into Bangladesh, adding that Iranian economic actors are well-informed about the Bangladeshi market, and Bangladeshi actors are equally familiar with opportunities in Iran.
Khan Chowdhury emphasized the role of the government, given the existing limitations, in defining an appropriate banking system to facilitate trade. He also highlighted the importance of private sector economic actors in shaping trade partnerships and interactions.
He further noted that Iran has excellent agricultural products, and Bangladesh has a suitable market for them, but due to insufficient connections between traders and economic actors, only a small amount of these products currently reaches Bangladesh.
Khan Chowdhury stated that strong connections between importers and exporters are essential for increasing trade and economic interactions between the two countries. He added that increased cooperation will lead to a dynamic economy between Iran and Bangladesh.
The head of the Zanjan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture also pointed out the advantages of Zanjan province and its existing potential for economic interactions with other countries. He noted that Zanjan has 1,200 active factories and operates in all sectors.
Samad Yousafi-Asl added that the province has unique advantages in certain areas and is a leader in the electricity sector due to the presence of factories like Iran Transfo and Pars Switch.
He mentioned that Zanjan has historically been active in the copper sector, with factories in this industry, and 90% of the country’s zinc producers are based in Zanjan, making it a national leader in this field.
Yousafi-Asl added that in the agricultural sector, a significant portion of the country’s olives are produced in Tarom, which is the largest olive producer in Iran. The counties of Khodabandeh and Mahneshan are also very active and have potential in pulse production and fish farming.
He emphasized that in the field of handicrafts, Zanjan has long been known for producing some of the most traditional handicrafts, including knives and filigree. The city of Zanjan is also registered as a global city for filigree craftsmanship.
