TEHRAN (Iran News) The Commission’s fifth meeting brought together Iranian industry figures and Íñigo Gil Casares, the Spanish Embassy’s economic representative, to assess commercial capacities and potential partnerships between Iranian and Spanish companies. Participants stressed that as international conditions gradually improve for Iran, both countries must build the necessary groundwork to expand economic engagement. Enhancing cooperation between the two nations’ chambers of commerce, they noted, would be vital for identifying trade opportunities and linking credible companies on both sides.

Opening the meeting, Herouik Yarijaniyan, head of the Industry and Mining Commission, underscored the longstanding political and economic relations between Tehran and Madrid. He pointed to a recent Iranian trade delegation visit to Catalonia, where the Tehran Chamber and the Catalonia Chamber of Commerce agreed to draft a cooperation memorandum aimed at further institutionalizing bilateral engagement.

Hessamoddin Hallaj, Deputy for International Affairs and Trade Development at the Tehran Chamber, also emphasized the positive working relationship that has developed between the Chamber and the Spanish Embassy’s economic section in recent years. This interaction, he said, is now helping accelerate economic cooperation at a moment when political tensions have eased. Hallaj noted that even during periods of intense sanctions, certain European countries—including those leading pressure campaigns—continued trading with Iran, demonstrating that constructive economic ties can persist even in challenging environments.

Gil Casares remarked on the shared characteristics between Iranian and Spanish business cultures, adding that after the signing of the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA), Spain was among the first countries to resume economic engagement with Iran. He reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation but acknowledged the existence of major obstacles—chief among them the absence of direct banking and financial channels between the two countries. This lack of connectivity, he said, has constrained commercial activity and discouraged Spanish firms from pursuing opportunities in Iran. He expressed optimism that with reduced political tensions and potential sanctions relief, the conditions for bilateral economic expansion would become more stable and appealing.

He also proposed that companies from both countries strengthen their communication through specialized webinars, virtual conferences, and by facilitating the participation of Iranian private-sector representatives in economic events held in Spain.

During the session, Iranian business leaders and representatives from various companies exchanged views on Iran’s potential in the Spanish market and discussed ways the Tehran Chamber and the Spanish Embassy could help advance cooperation.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on an analysis prepared by the Institute of Trade Studies and Research on electricity price trends in the industrial sector. Presenting the findings, Afsaneh Shafiei, an advisor to the Commission, highlighted the sharp rise in industrial electricity costs in recent years. According to the report, the growth and intensity of electricity price hikes—both in base tariffs and effective rates—have exceeded global norms. Industrial firms are paying not only higher base tariffs but also additional charges related to electricity market purchases, excess consumption, and reactive power penalties. As a result, actual electricity costs far exceed the official tariff figures often cited in policy debates. ” Economic Cooperation”

The study found that average industrial electricity prices climbed from about 755 tomans per kilowatt-hour in 2017 (1397) to nearly 9,982 tomans in 2025 (1404). It further noted that from 2021 to 2025, the burden of cross-sector energy subsidies increasingly shifted to the industrial sector. In practical terms, this means that industrial consumers are effectively covering power plant profits, transmission and distribution costs, and a significant portion of subsidies directed toward other sectors.

To mitigate these pressures, the report recommended establishing a multi-year, predictable tariff adjustment plan, applying differentiated pricing based on consumption growth and intensity, gradually reducing cross-sector subsidy burdens on industry, and offering non-price support packages to help producers remain competitive.

The post Iranian Industrial Leaders Explore Expanded Economic Cooperation With Spain appeared first on Iran News Daily.

TEHRAN (Iran News) According to the Karaj Chamber of Commerce, the ambassador’s visit included a joint meeting with local business leaders, talks with the governor of Alborz, and tours of key production facilities. The trip highlighted promising prospects for strengthening Iran-Tajikistan economic ties.

Parham Rezaei, head of the Alborz Chamber of Commerce, noted that with more than 4,000 industrial units and close proximity to Tehran, the province is a major center for production and exports. He said Alborz generated over $1 billion in exports last year, much of it to neighboring countries. Agricultural products, particularly vegetables, meet a large share of demand in Persian Gulf states.

He added that Alborz also hosts major confectionery and biscuit industries, with several companies setting up secondary plants to benefit from the region’s distribution networks. Rezaei emphasized that the visit was a valuable opportunity to present Alborz’s capacities in textiles, food, and pharmaceuticals, and to facilitate future business-to-business (B2B) negotiations.

Ambassador Shamsiddinzoda welcomed the visit, noting Alborz’s strategic location near Tehran. He praised the province’s industrial showcase, saying it reflected strong potential for expanded cooperation with Tajikistan.

He highlighted the rapid growth in bilateral trade, which rose from $57 million five years ago to over $300 million last year. Projections estimate trade could reach $500 million by the end of this year, with the long-term goal of $1 billion. The ambassador identified textiles, pharmaceuticals, food industries, and petrochemicals as priority areas for collaboration.

At a joint session with Alborz business leaders, both sides explored cooperation in textiles, agriculture, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and joint investments. Rezaei underlined that Alborz’s food, pharmaceutical, automotive parts, cosmetics, and textile sectors offer major opportunities for trade with Tajikistan.

Yadollah Malmir, vice president of the Alborz Chamber and head of the province’s Textile Association, noted that Alborz consumes three million tons of yarn annually across 200 active units. He proposed imports of cotton and yarn from Tajikistan in exchange for Alborz’s pharmaceutical and industrial exports.

Abdolreza Bazdar, head of Alborz’s Agriculture Department, said the province produces 24 million tons of crops annually, along with 600,000 tons of milk and 90,000 tons of eggs. With 550 hectares of greenhouse cultivation, he pointed to new export opportunities.

Nader Zeinali, provincial director of cultural heritage and tourism, emphasized potential cooperation in medical tourism and industrial tours.

Hossein Fallah-Nejad, director of labor and social affairs, suggested employing Tajik workers to fill shortages in Alborz industries, while also promoting the exchange of skilled professionals.

During his meeting with Governor Mojtaba Abdollahi, the ambassador invited Iranian businesses to take part in Tajikistan’s international exhibitions and stressed the importance of joint projects in agriculture, livestock, and food industries. Abdollahi highlighted the historic and linguistic ties between Iran and Tajikistan as a foundation for deeper economic and cultural cooperation.

The ambassador also toured food production and packaging machinery plants in Alborz, gaining a closer look at the province’s industrial capabilities.

The visit by Tajikistan’s ambassador to Alborz marked a significant step in advancing economic relations between the two countries. Beyond promoting the province’s strengths in industry and agriculture, the trip fostered direct dialogue and set the stage for new avenues of cooperation.

The post Iran, Tajikistan Expand Economic Cooperation appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said on Tuesday it is important that Iran and Russia play a complementary role in the global energy and transit markets.

He made the remarks in a meeting with the Russian president’s aide, Igor Levitin, in Tehran.

He also highlighted the importance of accelerating the implementation of joint economic projects within the framework of the agreements reached between the two countries’ presidents.

According to Shamkhani, the U.S.-led unilateral sanctions hinder the expansion of relations between countries and escalate regional and global crises.

He called for the formation of joint bodies to counter the restrictive measures. The targeted countries should make use of the international potential to counter the sanctions, he said.

Levitin, for his part, pointed to the strategic impact of completing the North-South railway project, saying it is a top priority for Moscow to quickly start the operational measures related to the completion of the Rasht-Astara railway.

He said that Iran enjoys great capacities in the energy and transit sectors, and Russian firms are keen to invest in Iran’s infrastructural projects.

The Russian official also referred to the two countries’ agreements to develop trade relations using national currencies, saying the two countries’ economic and banking officials have adopted the necessary mechanisms to evade the sanctions.

Tehran and Moscow would soon witness a serious leap in trade relations, Levitin added.

Meanwhile Russia and Iran are exploring the development of a joint stablecoin that would be backed by gold, two Russian officials have been quoted as saying.

According to Alexander Brazhnikov, the Central Bank of Iran is considering the creation of a stablecoin with Russia as a means of payment in transactions involving international trade, local Russian news outlet Vedomosti wrote.

Iran is working to create a “token of the Persian Gulf region” that would serve as a payment method in foreign trade, it said.

The stablecoin aims to enable cross-border transactions instead of fiat currencies like the United States dollar, the Russian ruble or the Iranian rial.

Brazhnikov, who is the executive director of the Russian Association of the crypto industry and blockchain, said the coin’s value would be tied to gold.

Vedomosti said the stablecoin would be usable in Astrakhan, a free-trade zone where Russia has started accepting Iranian merchandise.

Anton Tkachev, a member of the Duma and the Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology, and Communications, confirmed the report, but said the issue would be considered at the governmental level after cryptocurrencies are completely regulated in Russia.

The Russian Central Bank does not support the usage of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin or ethereum as a method of payment anywhere inside the nation, but it allows for the usage of cryptocurrencies in business dealings, including international trade.

The post Iran-Russia Economic Cooperation in Line With Strategic Agreements appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Speaking on Sunday morning at the 15th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) hosted by Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi said: “The Islamic Republic of Iran considers a special priority for economic cooperation and partnership with Asian countries, especially its neighbors in South Asia, West Asia, Central Asia and the Caucasus.”

The President emphasized: “Undoubtedly, strengthening the role and position of regional organizations as facilitators of bilateral and multilateral cooperation is one of our concerns and efforts, one of the clear manifestations of which is the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).”

The President added: “In addition to enjoying the material features of power, such as the population of half a billion, the ownership of one third of the world’s energy resources, the unique position for Europe-China connection with the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, the young and powerful human resources, the ECO entails a privileged identity called Islam.”

Raisi stated: “We are not only capable neighbors but also inheritors and at the same time promote a genuine identity emanating from Islamic culture that is able to lead the future of humanity in the brightest state and can also promote spiritual growth and vitality through the cooperation of all.”

“Over the years, good achievements and progress have been achieved in the ECO, but there is still a significant gap between the successes achieved and the real capacities and capabilities of the organization. For example, despite high trade potentials, intra-regional trade is still less than 10%,” he said.

The President stated: “The Islamic Republic of Iran, as an important country, seeks to improve the level of cooperation in ECO and to raise the rank and status of this organization in regional and international relations. We believe that there are effective tools for the promotion of the organization that, if the efforts of the members are shared, can ensure the well-being of future generations in addition to the material progress of the countries.”

Referring to the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, the President said: “Now we need the collective intervention of member states to remove the destructive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic from the region and promote the relations and interactions between us with appropriate speed and with the help of experiences in the field of health and education and the production of medicine.”

He went on to say that the cruel sanctions imposed by the United States are too weak to undermine the determination of Iran to pursue the policy of maximum interaction with neighboring and regional countries.

Raisi reiterated Iran’s unconditional support for the ECO and its activities. He emphasized that the U.S.’ cruel sanctions against Iran are too impotent to undermine Tehran’s determination to proceed with its policy of maximum interaction with the neighbors and regional states.

“By withdrawing from the JCPOA illegally, imposing the illegal and unilateral sanctions, and establishing the policy of ‘maximum cruelty’, the United States proved that its interests are incompatible with the collective interests of our region,” Raisi added.

The post Cooperation, Economic Partnership With Neighbors, Top Priority appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Meqdad received on Thursday an Iranian parliamentary delegation from the Syrian-Iranian Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly headed by Abbas Golrou, vice president of the Association.

During the meeting, they discussed relations between the two countries, especially between the Syrian and Iranian parliaments. The two sides stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in defending the interests of peoples in various international forums, as well as laying the necessary foundations for strengthening the capabilities and economic relations between the two countries in the face of economic terrorism represented by the unilateral coercive measures, the Syrian state news SANA reported.

Mekdad expressed the great appreciation that the Syrian leadership, government and people hold for the important role played by Iran in all political, military and economic fields to support his country in the war on terrorism.

He stressed in this regard that the one who defeated Daesh and other terrorist organizations is not those who claim to have formed an alliance for this purpose, but rather that the Syrian, Iranian and Russian forces and the resistance fighters from Iraq and Lebanon and their brothers from the honorable people of the region.

The people whose blood mixed with the soil of this land for the sake of defeating these terrorist organizations and liberating the lands in which these terrorists were wreaking terrorism and corruption with the support of some countries of that ominous alliance that was fighting everything in the region except for the terrorists, the foreign minister stated.

For his part, MP Golrou stressed Tehran’s pride in the relations it has had with Syria throughout history, praising Syria’s historical support for Iran in many stages and the distinguished level of relations between the two countries. He stressed the need to build on these relations to advance them in the economic and cultural fields, as they are in the political and other fields. Golrou also expressed his belief in the inevitable victory of the peoples of the region over all projects of arrogance, domination and occupation.

The two sides reviewed the recent presidential elections in Syria and Iran, which were a deep embodiment of the democratic values in which the peoples of the two countries believe.

When discussing the ongoing negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue, Mekdad praised in this regard the wisdom, strength and keenness of the Iranian leadership to defend the interests and rights of its people in the face of all attempts to pressure again, and Syria is standing by Iran in these negotiations.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on developments in the region, especially in the occupied Palestinian territories, where views were identical on the importance of supporting the steadfastness and resistance of the Palestinian people until their occupied land is liberated and their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital is established.

The Iranian delegation also met with Speaker of the People’s Assembly Hammoudeh Sabbagh, who affirmed on Thursday the importance of boosting parliamentary relations through exchanging visits, viewpoints, and joint coordination at regional and international conferences, according to SANA.

In his meeting with Golrou and his accompanying team, Sabbagh said that forces of evil and global aggression, led by the U.S., besiege Syria and Iran together under false and misleading titles, claiming that they fight terrorism, while, in fact, they support and protect it.

For his part, Golrou said that the visit of the Iranian delegation to Syria aims to enhance parliamentary cooperation and various domains of bilateral relations, and overcome any obstacles that may hinder their development in addition to employing the available capabilities to push them forward.

He expressed his country’s aspiration to fulfill advanced steps that make the friendship committees in both countries a role model.

In continuation of their visit, the Iranian delegation also met with Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous. The two sides stressed the importance of boosting parliamentary relations, increasing the joint visits to achieve the common interests of the two friendly countries and peoples.

The Syrian prime minister affirmed that the Syrian government seeks to push forwards and develop economic cooperation and trade exchange between the two countries and promote it up to the level of strategic relations that bind Syria and Iran.

He expressed appreciation for the support provided by Iran to the Syrian people, pointing out that the Syrian and Iranian peoples have foiled plots of the enemies in the region.

For his part, Golrou said that the aim of the Iranian parliamentary delegation’s visit to Syria is to increase coordination and cooperation and to overcome obstacles that may face joint relations.

The post Syria eyes enhancement of economic ties with Iran appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The international affairs of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture (ICCIMA) in collaboration with the Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber of Commerce held this webinar where several business activists were present.

The participants explored opportunities for cooperation between Iran and Kazakhstan in the fields like agriculture and it was decided a roadmap is prepared for improving economic relations.

Head of international affairs of ICCIMA Mr. Mohammad Reza Karbasi in the webinar said extraterrestrial cultivation as well as technical and engineering services are important fields for cooperation between Iran and Kazakhstan as both countries can focus on joint cooperation.

He also emphasized that the good reputation of Iranian contractors and economic activists in the two mentioned fields as well as the quality of Iranians’ experts are known to everyone.

Karabasi also explained the important economic capacities of Kazakhstan and emphasized that Kazakhstan should be considered as a regional hub in order to ease exports of Iranian products to other countries neighboring Kazakhstan.

He went on to say that the Kazakhstan market is apt to attract Iranian goods and by the way, there is a strong will in the Kazakh government for reinforcing the existing cooperation with Iran, adding that by removing the hurdles in way of trade, Iranian tradesmen should also diversify the baskets of their exports.

Then Head of Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber of Commerce Mr. Amir Abedi, for his part, explained the important priorities for cooperation between Iran and Kazakhstan and pointed to the ways for presence in the Kazakhstan market.

He said political, social and economic stability in Kazakhstan is the main factor which helps Iranian tradesman to work with this country as the country is located at the crossroad of Europe and Asia and it is a country with the good business climate.

Abedi then pointed to major fields for bilateral cooperation like agriculture and urged the participants in the webinar for adopting a roadmap for cooperation between Iran and Kazakhstan.

Then in the meeting, participants pointed to hurdles in way of cooperation between Iran and Kazakhstan like problems for banking transactions and transfer of money because of sanctions, lack of enough and precise cognizance of Kazakhstan market, high costs of transportations and lack of export management companies.

The post Roadmap Required for Economic Cooperation Between Iran, Kazakhstan appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Ardebil province has potential for investment and is ready to cooperate with domestic and foreign investors, he added.

The post Iran’s Ardebil, Turkey’s Van to expand economic coop. appeared first on Iran News Daily.