TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking Wednesday evening at a ceremony honoring top exporters in Razavi Khorasan province, Dehnavi highlighted the growing challenges Iranian exporters and importers face. “All traders, whether exporting or importing, are entangled in a maze of cumbersome and sometimes contradictory regulations,” he said. “These regulatory obstacles now impose more pressure than the sanctions themselves.”

Despite the challenges, he noted Razavi Khorasan achieved a significant 33% increase in the value of its non-oil exports last year—more than double the national average growth of 15.6%, which amounted to $57.8 billion. Dehnavi praised this as one of the country’s most successful export years.

The deputy minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade emphasized that the TPO has three primary objectives: streamlining trade procedures, promoting free trade agreements, and encouraging investment in export-oriented production.

“Removing bureaucratic barriers is a top priority,” he stated, adding that such hurdles harm exporters more than sanctions and need to be eliminated to boost export-led growth and a dynamic economy.

He also addressed the economic relationship with neighboring Afghanistan, describing it as both vital and misunderstood. “Millions of Afghans live and work in Iran, often sending earnings back home for family support or investment. This creates a form of barter—goods exchanged for labor,” he explained.

Dehnavi questioned the logic behind demanding foreign currency returns from traders who export to Afghanistan in local currency. “Why must we impose strict foreign exchange compliance when it’s clear that financial exchanges with Afghanistan function differently? This rigid policy only restricts our exporters,” he said.

He called for urgent reforms in foreign exchange commitment regulations, arguing that government intervention in trade processes should be minimized. “We all agree that export earnings belong to the country and should return to the economy. But it should not be up to the government to dictate when, how, and at what price,” he said. “Such interference disrupts the flow of currency back into the system.”

Dehnavi said exporters should be free to repatriate their earnings without bureaucratic interference.

Regarding free trade efforts, he announced that Iran’s Free Trade Agreement with the five Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member countries would take effect on May 14. “This agreement presents both opportunities and challenges for our business community,” he said, adding that talks are underway with more than 10 other countries for similar deals.

The third focus of the TPO, he said, is fostering investment in export-oriented industries. “To achieve a major leap in exports, we must prioritize investment in production for export. This strategy is being actively pursued through the High Council for Non-Oil Exports and other bodies,” he added.

Dehnavi reiterated that exports to Afghanistan should be treated as barter and not be hampered by rigid currency return regulations. He also highlighted Razavi Khorasan’s potential as a leader in export-focused investment.

The TPO, he announced, will support the establishment of seven export terminals in the province, with the local export development task force approving all of them. “This delegation of authority will open a new front for exports in the region,” he said.

The event concluded with a ceremony recognizing 44 top exporters from Razavi Khorasan, attended by Dehnavi, the provincial governor, and other officials.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Hassanzadeh reported that discussions with government officials, including the President, have been ongoing concerning electricity imbalances. He stated that future strategies to boost investments in electricity production have been proposed by the National Development Fund. The government aims to resolve electricity shortages before the upcoming summer, with the President emphasizing the urgency of this problem.

He shared that a team has been established to explore solar and wind energy opportunities and will present its findings by next Sunday. Additionally, there have been talks about the potential local production of solar panels, which could help meet energy needs.

Regarding a recent trip to Tajikistan alongside the President, Hassanzadeh noted that several economic activists from the Chamber accompanied the President. They engaged in multiple meetings with Tajik ministers, all expressing interest in collaborating, particularly in fields such as engineering, food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.

Hassanzadeh highlighted Tajikistan’s favorable conditions for Iranian investment and exporting, mentioning the presence of five free trade zones that provide various tax exemptions, allowing Iranian traders to invest and export through these areas. He underscored Tajikistan’s abundant water and gas resources, large limestone, and aluminum deposits as significant investment opportunities for Iranians.

On the delegation’s recent trip to Turkey with the Minister of Agriculture, he referenced establishing a solid foundation for technology transfer between the two nations. He expressed his belief that Iranian farmers could benefit significantly from agricultural programs in both countries, given Turkey’s strong agricultural export capabilities and Iran’s skilled professionals. He mentioned that bilateral trade between Iran and Turkey reached $12 billion and could potentially rise to $30 billion.

Reflecting on the President’s meeting with his Russian counterpart, Hassanzadeh hailed the signing of a comprehensive agreement between Iran and Russia as a positive development aimed at boosting the Iranian economy.

However, Hassanzadeh acknowledged that, according to the Iranian Chamber of Commerce’s Research Center’s statistics as of Azar (December), the industrial sector is facing challenges.

He added that discussions are underway between the Chamber and the Central Bank regarding currency obligations. Since initiating a currency market, exchange rates have risen. However, transparency regarding currency commitments has improved, with Central Bank officials promising that issues related to this market will be resolved shortly, expecting further changes by the beginning of Bahman (January).

Furthermore, he voiced support for the Minister of Economy’s remarks regarding the need to resolve issues related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). He stated that the absence of these measures has caused significant difficulties for the country, and it is unworthy of Iran’s traders to conduct business exclusively in cash. He expressed hope that the Expediency Discernment Council will take substantial actions to resolve this matter.

Hassanzadeh announced that the Iranian Chamber of Commerce will issue a new statement from its representative council to expedite the resolution of these issues.

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Speaking to ILNA, Pirmoazen said that countries like Turkey, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Germany have been handed over some projects in Karabakh but unfortunately it has not happened for any Iranian company yet, reiterating that some projects have been even handed over to the Israelis and even Turkish traders without getting visas or having passports easily go to Karabakh but Iranians even with having Azerbaijan visas have not been able to be present in Karabakh.

On the current trade between Iran and Azerbaijan, he said fortunately the trade balance between Iran and Azerbaijan is in good condition, adding that although due to the pandemic most borders were closed, the only border which dodged the closure and continued foreign trade, was the border with Azerbaijan.

He noted that export of agro and industrial products to Azerbaijan has increased around 35 percent comparing to the past year, adding that the growth in trade with Azerbaijan is mainly because of the rise in the forex price in Iran and when the price of a commodity increases, it actually affects the trade exchanges.

Pirmoazen went on to say that due to the pandemic and halt in issuing visas by the two states, the trade between Iran and Azerbaijan has faced problems. He said Azerbaijan has set some restrictions for issuing visas for Iranian traders and countries where the covid-19 is not in good condition.

He added that Azerbaijan deputy prime minister a couple of weeks ago in meeting with Iranian officials promised to resolve the problem of issuing visas. He expressed hope next month and for the first time after the pandemic , a trade delegation from Iran would visit an exhibition in Baku and exchange views with private sector of Azerbaijan.

He admitted that despite giving a list of powerful Iranian companies to Azerbaijan for cooperation in the reconstruction of Karabakh, so far it has not been welcomed by the Azeri s and other countries have been welcomed.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce warned Iranian traders and merchants on the outbreak of lethal coronavirus in China and called on them to monitor the latest situation of the spread of the lethal virus before traveling to China.

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