TEHRAN - Iran's economy continues to tread a fine line between stagnation and contraction, according to the latest findings from the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), known locally as "Shamkh." The May 2025 report signals a deepening downturn in the industrial sector and ongoing uncertainty for businesses across the board.

TEHRAN - The head of the Strategic Council at Iran’s National Carpet Center has criticized the current state of Iran’s carpet industry, calling the $40 million in exports—a figure that belies the industry’s deep historical roots and employment potential—a catastrophe. He warned about the confiscation of Iranian traders’ assets in Europe and the indifference of decision-making structures, calling for an end to government monopoly and genuine private sector participation.

TEHRAN - Akbar Gdari, Director General of the Central Asia, Russia, and Caucasus Department at Iran's Organization for Trade Development, highlighted significant changes in Iran’s export structure to Russia, emphasizing mutual acceptance of standards from both countries. He announced that Iran’s exports to Russia have seen remarkable growth over the past three years.

TEHRAN - In a recent meeting between the Executive Vice President of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the head of JETRO’s Tehran office with the President of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (TCCIMA), both parties discussed the capacities and future prospects for enhancing bilateral economic cooperation between Iran and Japan.

TEHRAN - Minister of Agriculture, Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, has raised concerns about the country’s heavy dependence on imported food commodities, revealing that approximately 90% of the nation's edible oil and nearly 30% of its sugar needs are met through imports. Speaking at the inaugural National Conference of Women Managers of the Ministry of Agriculture, the minister emphasized the need to address this issue through better management and consumer behavior reforms—particularly with the help of women in leadership roles.

TEHRAN - In a significant step toward boosting bilateral trade, the Golestan Chamber of Commerce hosted a high-level meeting with Furuddin Nasriev, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Iran, highlighting mutual interests in expanding economic cooperation between the two nations.

TEHRAN - Kazem Jalali, Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, announced that Moscow has finalized nearly $5 billion of an expected $8 billion investment in Iran’s gas industry. The remaining agreements are progressing toward finalization, he said during a meeting with prominent Russian Iranologists at the Iranian Embassy in Moscow.

Sadegh said ECO’s regional collaboration should be leveraged to promote economic development to the benefit of regional peoples.

TEHRAN - The Kish Free Zone Organization has achieved a historic milestone in investment attraction, securing a record-breaking amount over the past six months equivalent to the total of the previous three years combined.

TEHRAN - The Iranian private sector is poised to increase investment in Iraq as bilateral efforts intensify to enhance economic cooperation. This momentum was marked by the launch of the Iran-Iraq Trade Policy Council under the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), signaling a strategic commitment to expanding joint ventures and trade relations between the two neighbors.