Call for Establishment of Permanent Iranian Trade Office in Uzbekistan

TEHRAN (Iran News) According to the Public Relations Office of the Arak Chamber of Commerce, the Uzbek ambassador, during a visit to Markazi Province, held discussions with provincial officials and economic stakeholders. At the outset of the meeting, Saeed Beigzadeh, Deputy for Executive and International Affairs of the Arak Chamber, highlighted the province’s experience in developing economic relations with Uzbekistan. He referred to the chamber’s role in organizing exhibitions and dispatching trade delegations, noting that participation in the first specialized exhibition of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Uzbekistan, followed by subsequent exhibitions with Iranian companies, provided valuable opportunities to become familiar with the Uzbek market and its capabilities. These efforts, he said, also helped establish sustainable trade relations through diverse delegations sent to different regions of Uzbekistan.

Beigzadeh added that these initiatives had led to the establishment of offices and factories by Iranian companies in Uzbekistan, many of which are now operating continuously. He also pointed to recent negotiations with the Deputy Head of the Uzbek Chamber of Commerce, stating that it has been agreed to allocate a location to the Arak Chamber to serve as a liaison between Iranian and Uzbek companies and to facilitate the presence of economic actors.

Nasser Beiki, President of the Arak Chamber of Commerce, referred to 25 years of economic and trade engagement between Markazi Province and Uzbekistan, stressing that the achievements of the private sector form the foundation for expanding economic relations with other countries. He described Markazi as one of Iran’s key industrial and agricultural hubs, with strong production capacity, skilled human resources, and advanced infrastructure capable of supporting international trade.

Seyed Mehdi Mirashrafi, Executive Secretary of the Arak Chamber, emphasized Uzbekistan’s strategic position in Asia and its potential for trade cooperation with Iran. He noted that as a landlocked country, Uzbekistan could benefit significantly from Iran’s access to open waters, major ports, and extensive land and rail routes. He identified international transportation and customs barriers as the two main challenges in expanding bilateral trade, suggesting that a joint international transport company could play a decisive role in facilitating transit and trade in the short term.

Mirashrafi expressed optimism that, with coordinated efforts, the governor’s target of increasing bilateral trade to around $300 million in the first year could be achieved, contributing to economic growth in Markazi Province and stronger trade ties with Uzbekistan.

Hamed Amini, First Vice President of the Arak Chamber, highlighted the role of joint chambers in guiding Iran’s recent trade relations, noting that the Iran–Uzbekistan Joint Chamber has been active for four to five years. He pointed to financial, transportation, and tariff-related challenges, including issues with certificates of origin and the absence of a finalized trade tariff agreement, which have constrained trade development.

Mohammadreza Jafari, Second Vice President of the Arak Chamber, stressed the necessity of establishing a permanent and structured presence in target markets. Drawing on successful experience in Azerbaijan, he argued that opening a permanent Iranian trade office in Uzbekistan would ensure continuity, follow-up, and tangible results, positioning Uzbekistan as a gateway to Central Asia and Eurasian markets.

Other participants, including members of the chamber’s board, underscored the importance of the physical presence of Iranian traders and industrialists in Uzbekistan, as well as joint investment and permanent trade offices, as key tools for achieving sustainable economic relations. The meeting concluded with an emphasis on leveraging shared cultural and tourism capacities alongside trade to deepen long-term cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan.