Dharmendra yesterday met the Head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce Mr. Gholam-Hossein Shafei and discussed some issues related to the trade between India and Iran.

IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

During the meeting, the Indian diplomat said the meeting was aimed at getting acquainted with the current relations for trade between both countries and finding solutions.

He underlined Indian government’s strong determination for continuing its economic cooperation with Iran, adding that bartering goods can be a good option.

He added that due to the current banking problems, bartering goods can be an option that both countries can think of it.

Dharmendra added that currently his country is busy with local election and forming government and Indian Embassy in Tehran is after finding new ways and approaches in relation with its ties with Tehran.

He pointed to the current trade volume of India-Iran which is currently around $14b, adding that if both sides add some new products to the list of their trade, the trade volume can expand.

He went on to say that both sides had faced with such problems in banking sector in the past, adding that Indian officials are in talks with some new bank to join UCO bank for easing trade between Iran and India.

He also added that both countries are negotiating for choosing Shahid Beheshti Port as a route for boosting trade ties between both states, adding that it can improve the level of ties.

Dharmendra asserted that preferential trade is another issue which is on the agenda for future programs between India and Iran, reiterating that bartering good is a good idea for skirting banking problems resulted from the sanctions.

Shafei, for his part, said due to cooperation at Chabahar, both countries would soon see the impacts of this cooperation in their relation.

He went on to say that banking problems still remain and since UCO Bank is the only Indian bank dealing with Iran’s trade, it creates many hurdles for Iranian businessmen.

He also criticized India for levying heavy tariffs on Iranian goods while those goods are not produced in their countries and one cannot find like them in India.

He also called for cooperation between road ministries of both countries for investment in Chabahar port.