Ghalibaf said while ties between the two nations have improved significantly in recent months, they are still far from where they should be.

He expressed optimism that economic relations between the two countries will improve in the near future, particularly with the private sector’s activation.

The Tajik president said Iran had made significant progress in recent years. “The progress of the Islamic Republic in peaceful nuclear technology and the ineffectiveness of sanctions shows the progress of your country and we are ready to cooperate with Iran in various fields,” the Tajik leader pointed out.

President Rahmon made a two-day trip to Iran starting on Sunday afternoon. Leading a high-level delegation, he met lengthy talks with President Ebrahim Raisi, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber.

During his stay in Tehran, 17 cooperation documents were signed between the two countries.

The post Iran’s Qalibaf and Tajik president push for closer ties appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The participants in this virtual meeting reviewed opportunities for cooperation and expansion of economic cooperation especially between the private sectors of Iran and Tajikistan.

Tajikistan Ambassador to Tehran and Iran’s Ambassador to Tajikistan were also present in this webinar wherein more than 150 economic activists involved in.

At the beginning of the webinar, head of international affairs of Tehran Chamber of Commerce pointed to the abundant commonalities between the two countries especially in their language, religion and history and called Tajikistan as the closest country to Iran but he reiterated that despite such commonalities, the volume of economic relations between the two states have not grown as it is expected.

Hessamuddin Hallaj then said while the two countries are on the eve of the 30th anniversary of restoring diplomatic relations, Tehran Chamber of Commerce decided to hold this webinar to boost the knowledge of economic activists regarding the common trade capacities and reviewing the opportunities for cooperation.

He went on to say that unfortunately the total trade volume of the two states regardless of their trade via the third party countries is around $25m and the goal behind such meetings and events is to make the most of this opportunity for paving the ground for economic activists and tradesmen of both states.

Then Seyedeh Fatemeh Moqimi, a member of presiding board of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, described Tajikistan a country with capacity to become a big economic trade partner of Iran in the Central Asia and by referring to the close cultural and historical bonds of the two states, she said Tajikistan can have access to free waters via Iran’s southern ports while Iran’s access to Europe via Tajikistan is an ideal opportunity for improving Iran’s trade and economy.

She then pointed to Iran’s experience in the fields of oil, gas and electricity, and said Iran and Tajikistan have also high capacity for cooperation in the food industries, metals and tourism beside expansion of cooperation in the fields of implementing projects in oil, electricity and dam construction.

Meanwhile Tajikistan Ambassador to Tehran Nizomiddin Zohidi, for his part, pointed to 85 percent decline in the bilateral trade in recent years, adding that holding such virtual events, presence of economic activists in the exhibitions being held in both states and dispatch of trade exhibition for getting more familiar with capacities for trade cooperation are of the joint actions by Iran and Tajikistan for improving the level of economic ties.

He then pointed to the readiness of Iran and Tajikistan for signing several MoUs and announced signing of MoU on cooperation between Tehran Stock Exchange and Tajikistan’s Central Asia Stock.

Zohidi then reiterated that so far 170 MoUs and documents on cooperation have been signed between Iran and Tajikistan, noting that the legal grounds are very important for bilateral cooperation in trade and economy.

The post Tehran, Dushanbe Explore Ways to Boost Economic Ties appeared first on Iran News Daily.

As reported, promoting economic relations was the major focus of the mentioned meeting which was co-chaired by Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian and Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Recourses Daler Juma.

Speaking in the opening ceremony, Ardakanian underlined the long historical, cultural, and economic relations between the two countries and said: “Considering the will of the top leaders of the two countries, the implementation of approved agreements requires serious determination [by the two sides].”

“One of the important factors for the expansion of trade relations between the two countries is the establishment of banking relations between the two countries and it is necessary for both sides to take necessary steps in this regard,” the Iranian minister stated.

Welcoming the Tajik side’s proposal for the expansion of Iran’s industrial investments in Tajikistan using the country’s workforce and resources, Ardakanian said: “Solving banking problems is a prerequisite for the development of Iranian investments [in Tajikistan].”

Further in the event, Juma welcomed the Iranian delegation, saying: “the 14th session of the Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation between the two countries will create a special movement in the promotion and development of economic relations between the two countries.”

Referring to trade relations and trade balance between the two countries in the past few years, he said: “based on the two sides’ import and export data, there is great potential for improving trade relations between the two countries.”

He mentioned the cooperation between the two countries in the construction of a dam and a hydroelectric power plant as successful examples of cooperation between the two countries, both of which were designed and built by specialized companies and put into operation by the presidents of the two countries.

Juma also referred to the agreement between the two countries for the implementation of a project to complete the facilities of the Tajikistan Esteghlal Tunnel and noted that his country is ready to fulfill its financial obligations in this regard.

Ardakanian arrived in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Monday to participate in the 14th Iran-Tajikistan Joint Economic Committee meeting.

He is scheduled to meet with other Tajik officials on promoting economic relations.

The post Dushanbe hosts 14th meeting of Iran-Tajikistan Joint Economic Committee appeared first on Iran News Daily.

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Chief Executive of Iran Water & Power Resources Development Company Behrouz Moradi said that the Islamic Republic will complete the construction of ‘Esteghlal’ Tunnel in Tajikistan.

The post Esteghlal tunnel be completed by Iran appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The 13th meeting of Iran-Tajikistan joint commission of economic cooperation opened in Tehran on Monday morning, attended by Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian and Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources Usmonali Usmonzoda.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the meeting, the Tajik minister said one of the most successful projects that Iranian companies have carried out in Tajikistan in recent years was the construction of Sangtuda 2 hydroelectric power plant.

Usmonzoda said the 220-megawatt power plant has come on stream and plays a major role in supplying the Central Asian country’s power demands in the wintertime.

He also noted that a series of financial issues relating to the power plant project and the purchase of electricity by Tajikistan would be discussed in the joint commission of economic cooperation on Monday and Tuesday.

Praising Iranian companies for involvement in multiple projects in Tajikistan, Usmonzoda said Iran has also embarked on a project to construct a hydroelectric power plant at Tajikistan’s Rogun Dam.

In June, the top diplomats of Iran and Tajikistan met in Tehran to explore avenues for the enhancement of relations between the two countries in various fields.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his visiting Tajik counterpart Sirodjidin Mukhriddin weighed plans to broaden the political and parliamentary cooperation between the two nations, strengthen the friendship groups, enhance economic interaction in the water, electricity and transportation sectors, hold political and consular consultations, expand the cultural and international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and combat extremism and terrorism.

The post Financial Issues of Sangtuda 2 Plant Discussed appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Speaking in a trade committee meeting of Mashhad Chamber of Commerce between Tajikistan-Iran on Wednesday, Mohammad-Taqi Saberi said after several rounds of talks and negotiations the Tajik side has agreed to host the exhibition of Iranian goods which is expected to be held in December.

Iranian companies active in various areas including food industry, agricultural products, minerals and mining industries, construction materials, banking services, transportation and tourism will participate in this exhibition.

Iran already has a permanent exhibition of its goods and services called “Almas” in Dushanbe.

Permanent exhibition of Iranian goods was opened in May 2017.

Confectionery, paints, pistachios, cement, aluminum oxide, medicines, poultry, biscuits, as well as engineering services are among Iran’s top exporting commodities and services to Tajikistan.

Earlier this year in a meeting Ardakanian stressed the importance of developing energy ties with the neighboring country saying “Obstacles and issues in the way of development of cooperation between the two countries should be removed to pave the way for implementing large-scale projects.”

The official mentioned the presence of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan’s energy ministers in the next Iran-Tajikistan Joint Economic Committee and noted that the meeting is an opportunity to hold a joint meeting between the ministers of the four countries.

The post Exhibition of Iranian goods in Iran-Tajikistan frame appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The official noted that Tajikistan is a rich country in terms of water resources in Central Asia, and Iran has had good relations with the country for many years.

He further called on the Tajik minister for taking all necessary measures for making use of the two countries’ capacities for expanding economic relations.

Ardakanian, who is also the chairman of Iran-Tajikistan Joint Economic Committee, added: “Iranian companies are currently active in various sectors in Tajikistan, especially in the construction of dams and power plants.”

“This cooperation can be expanded into other fields, considering the two countries’ broad areas for mutual work,” the official added.

The minister said Tajikistan holds near 15 percent of world’s total capacity of hydroelectric power plants, so Iran is ready to provide Tajikistan with networks and necessary infrastructure for transit energy in the region.

13th Iran-Tajikistan Joint Economic Committee meeting 

Mukhriddin for his part, mentioned the “positive negotiations” between the two sides, saying “the cooperation between the two countries’ private sectors should be strengthened.”

According to the Tajik official, the two sides also discussed holding the 13th Iran-Tajikistan Joint Economic Committee meeting which is due to be held in Tehran in the upcoming months.

Currently, the Ministry of Energy is responsible for Iran’s joint economic committees with several countries including Tajikistan, Russia, Afghanistan, and Armenia, and the ministry is in direct communication with the neighboring countries, not only in water and energy sectors but also in other areas of mutual interest.

The post Iran, Tajikistan seeking expansion of water, energy tie appeared first on Iran News Daily.