TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking on Sunday at a meeting of the ICCIMA Board of Representatives, Sammad Hassan Zadeh said that if policymakers are seeking practical solutions to overcome current economic challenges, they must fundamentally review mechanisms that have led to bottlenecks in trade.

Referring to foreign exchange repatriation requirements, Hassan Zadeh said the policy has become one of the most challenging issues for exporters in practice. He noted that it has reduced incentives for formal exports, increased risk and uncertainty, put pressure on small export-oriented firms, encouraged the use of rented commercial cards, and pushed part of trade toward informal channels or under-declaration.

“The private sector believes that the return of foreign currency is a national necessity,” he said. “However, under current economic conditions, foreign exchange repatriation has effectively turned into a hidden tax on formal exports. This benefits neither the government, nor production, nor economic transparency.”

He added that instead of facilitating currency returns, the policy has reduced the depth of productive exports. Given the positive interest shown by other countries in engaging Iran’s private sector, Hassan Zadeh said the government is expected to undertake a serious review of its policies and mechanisms to ease trade for economic actors.

Addressing the outcomes of a recent Iranian trade delegation’s visit to Kazakhstan, Hassan Zadeh said nine cooperation documents were signed between the private sectors of the two countries. These covered mining, as well as broader trade and economic cooperation. An agreement was also signed on the transit transportation of Kazakh cargo toward Southeast Asia and Africa via Iran’s corridor.

Highlighting wheat trade as a major opportunity, he said senior Kazakh officials have expressed interest in exporting their surplus wheat either directly to Iran or through Iran to other markets. “Iran has extensive capacity in flour milling. If several flour mills take the initiative to purchase Kazakhstan’s surplus wheat and export flour to other countries, substantial value-added can be created,” he said.

Hassan Zadeh also outlined a number of operational proposals presented during meetings with Kazakhstan’s minister of trade, head of customs, and other senior public- and private-sector officials. These included forming a joint Iran–Kazakhstan operational task force to immediately define priority trade items under the Eurasian free trade agreement; launching a Kazakhstan–Iran green transit corridor with customs discounts; establishing a joint Iran–Kazakhstan logistics terminal at Iran’s southern ports; creating a joint industrial park in free zones to export to Eurasia; and forming a joint consortium in Iran to process Kazakhstan’s mineral resources for value-added exports to third countries.

In another part of his remarks, Hassan Zadeh addressed recent regulations on credit ceilings for commercial cards, discussed at the December 12 meeting of the Council of Provincial Chamber Heads. He said that under a directive issued by the Trade Promotion Organization, all commercial cards without rankings were deactivated as of November 30, 2025, and holders are required to obtain bank guarantees to receive or increase export and import credit ceilings. “Kazakhstan”

He warned that the directive has caused widespread confusion among economic actors, particularly in border provinces, regarding credit assessment and bank guarantee procedures. Chamber heads across the country concluded that credit assessment should be delegated to chambers of commerce from the outset of the process. “Kazakhstan”

“If chambers nationwide can manage credit assessment, it would be a major achievement,” Hassan Zadeh said, noting that although a similar proposal was made by the Trade Promotion Organization three months ago, chambers were not ready at the time due to a lack of necessary systems. He said the Board of Representatives must now decide whether chambers can provide the required guarantees for businesses.

At the beginning of his remarks, Hassan Zadeh also referred to the change of secretary general at ICCIMA, praising Dr. Sasan Shahveisi for his academic standing and valuable contributions to strengthening the chamber. He emphasized that Shahveisi’s departure from the post does not mean the chamber will no longer benefit from his expertise, describing him as a national asset whose experience will continue to be utilized in other capacities.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking to an IRNA reporter on Tuesday during a press conference held on the sidelines of the International Summit of Governors of Caspian Littoral States in Rasht, Saeid Rasouli said:

“Today, this summit was held in Rasht at the initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the participation of the Foreign Minister, the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, the governors of coastal provinces including Hormozgan and Sistan-Baluchestan, and many local, national, and international officials.”

He added that the Ports and Maritime Organization is taking the opportunity to pursue bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Caspian neighbors during this summit. “In terms of transit, the Islamic Republic of Iran offers a strategic corridor that provides Central Asian countries with access to open waters and the Persian Gulf.” “Kazakhstan ”

Rasouli emphasized that Iran’s northern ports currently operate with a capacity of over 30 million tons. He noted that a recent meeting was held in Makhachkala to form a Caspian Sea maritime consortium with the participation of Russia and Iran. “Kazakhstan ”

He continued: “Several neighboring countries have shown interest in investing in our ports. Soon, we will witness the signing of Kazakhstan’s investment agreement at Shahid Rajaee Port, and we are also in negotiations with several other countries.”

Rasouli stated that Iran’s coastal border stretches approximately 5,800 kilometers. “In the Caspian Sea, we hold the second-largest fleet after Russia, significantly ahead of neighboring countries in terms of fleet size. Therefore, we must make maximum use of current capacities, existing investments, and our ongoing development programs.”

The Managing Director of the Ports and Maritime Organization said that declining water levels in the Caspian Sea in recent years pose a threat to the depth of Iran’s coasts and commercial docks. “One of our important cooperation topics with neighboring Caspian states is managing this phenomenon. We are holding continuous expert-level and managerial meetings with our Caspian partners to address this challenge while expanding our collaborative capacities.”

The first summit of governors from the coastal provinces of Caspian littoral states, held under the slogan “Caspian Sea: A Bridge of Friendship and Regional Development,” began this morning (Tuesday, November 17, 2025) in Rasht with the presence of high-ranking Iranian and foreign officials.

According to IRNA, the two-day summit—hosted by Iran—aims to strengthen regional cooperation, boost economic interaction, and enhance coordination on sustainable development and environmental protection in the world’s largest enclosed body of water. Delegations from nine foreign regions and five Iranian provinces are participating.

The summit will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 17 and 18, focusing on strengthening regional cooperation, expanding economic, cultural, and tourism links, and fostering synergy among the coastal provinces of the five Caspian littoral states.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) She became the first Iranian woman to summit all 14 of the world’s highest mountains above 8,000 meters, following her successful ascent of Mt. Cho Oyu (8,188m).

Hesami Fard reached the summit of the world’s sixth-highest mountain along with fellow climbers Chung-Han Lu from Taiwan and Anar Burasheva from Kazakhstan.” iran”

With this achievement, she joined a select global circle of climbers who have scaled all of the world’s 8,000ers – a distinction previously held by only one Iranian, Azim Gheichisaz, in the men’s category.

Cho Oyu (8,188m), straddling the Nepal-China border, is the sixth-highest mountain in the world and a popular objective for seasoned climbers pursuing all 14 of the world’s highest peaks.

Hesami Fard reached the summit of the world’s sixth-highest mountain along with fellow climbers Chung-Han Lu from Taiwan and Anar Burasheva from Kazakhstan.” iran”

With this achievement, she joined a select global circle of climbers who have scaled all of the world’s 8,000ers – a distinction previously held by only one Iranian, Azim Gheichisaz, in the men’s category.

Cho Oyu (8,188m), straddling the Nepal-China border, is the sixth-highest mountain in the world and a popular objective for seasoned climbers pursuing all 14 of the world’s highest peaks.

Hesami Fard reached the summit of the world’s sixth-highest mountain along with fellow climbers Chung-Han Lu from Taiwan and Anar Burasheva from Kazakhstan.” iran”

With this achievement, she joined a select global circle of climbers who have scaled all of the world’s 8,000ers – a distinction previously held by only one Iranian, Azim Gheichisaz, in the men’s category.

Cho Oyu (8,188m), straddling the Nepal-China border, is the sixth-highest mountain in the world and a popular objective for seasoned climbers pursuing all 14 of the world’s highest peaks.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Pouya Ariakhah scored 21 points for Iran, while Klim Ryukhov led Kazakhstan with 13 points.

Iran will play Puerto Rico on Friday.

The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s U-21 World Championship is the 23rd edition of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U-21 World Championship, contested by the men’s national teams under the age of 21 of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the sport’s global governing body.

It is taking place in China from August 21 to 31, 2025.

Iran is the defending champion.

Iran will play Puerto Rico on Friday.

The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s U-21 World Championship is the 23rd edition of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U-21 World Championship, contested by the men’s national teams under the age of 21 of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the sport’s global governing body.

It is taking place in China from August 21 to 31, 2025.

Iran is the defending champion.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Maryam Jalali, Deputy for Handicrafts at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, met with a Kazakhstani cultural delegation led by Ontalap Serikbayevich Onalbayeva, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Iran. During the meeting, Jalali emphasized the historical and cultural commonalities between the two nations and proposed the formation of a cultural consortium.

The meeting was also attended by Atousa Momeni, head of Iran’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Center; Zhanar Dossaeva, Deputy Head of Kazakhstan’s Culture and Information Ministry; Berik Abdigali, Director of the Kazakh National Museum; and Sagila Norlanova, Head of the National Archives. Participants discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in cultural, artistic, and museum sectors based on their shared heritage.

Jalali pointed to the Timurid era as a historical period linking Iran and Kazakhstan, noting its potential for collaborative projects in cultural heritage. She highlighted how Iran’s rich tradition of handicrafts, embodying creative thought in tangible form, could serve as a vehicle for deeper cultural understanding. She invited Kazakh artists to partner with Iranian craftsmen to transform Kazakh identity and symbolism into enduring works using wood, glass, and metal.

One of Jalali’s key proposals was the creation of a statue of Persian polymath Omar Khayyam by Iranian woodcarving masters to be installed in the central square of Taraz, Kazakhstan — symbolizing cultural collaboration.

Acknowledging Kazakhstan’s advanced felt production technology, she also proposed a sister-city relationship between Shahrekord (recognized as Iran’s feltwork capital) and Taraz to strengthen cultural and artistic ties.

Jalali underscored the important role of women in the cultural development of both nations. She cited the shared nomadic lifestyles of Iranian and Kazakh tribes as a foundation for joint projects and emphasized empowering tribal women through handicraft and cultural initiatives.

During the meeting, Jalali extended an invitation to the Kazakh delegation to attend Iran’s celebration of World Handicrafts Day on June 10. She also revealed plans for showcasing Iranian artworks during the upcoming visit of the Iranian President to Kazakhstan.

Future cooperative efforts include a joint cultural night, media content co-production with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Information to highlight cultural attractions and crafts, and the establishment of permanent cultural trade centers for Iranian and Kazakh products.

The Kazakh delegation welcomed these initiatives, reaffirming their readiness to deepen cultural relations, explore shared historical roots, and promote Iranian handicrafts in Kazakhstan.

To conclude their visit, the Kazakh representatives toured the Traditional Arts Research Center, exploring various specialized workshops in pottery, tilework, brocade weaving, metal engraving, wood inlay, musical instrument making, miniature painting, and calligraphy. They were introduced firsthand to the creative processes of Iranian artisans.

Meanwhile earlier during a meeting between the Director General of the National Museum of Kazakhstan and the Director General of the National Museum of Iran, both parties emphasized the importance of cultural and inter-museum collaboration. They reached agreements on organizing joint exhibitions and establishing a shared digital database.

Berek Abdigali, Director General of the National Museum of Kazakhstan, met with Jebrael Nokandeh, Director General of the National Museum of Iran.

In this meeting, Jebrael Nokandeh welcomed the guests and, referring to the shared cultural heritage of the two countries and the memorandum of understanding between the two museums, expressed Iran’s readiness to expand inter-museum cultural cooperation.

Among his proposals were the organization of joint exhibitions and the launch of a shared digital database to facilitate the exchange of cultural information and artifacts.

Berek Abdigali also emphasized the importance of implementing the provisions of the memorandum of understanding and identified the shared heritage of Iran and Kazakhstan across various historical periods — including the Scythian era, the Islamic period, and especially the Timurid period — as suitable grounds for further cooperation.

He proposed holding an exhibition of works from the National Museum of Iran in Astana in 2025, and an exhibition from the National Museum of Kazakhstan at the National Museum of Iran in 2026.

Both sides agreed to coordinate and implement the necessary steps for these joint exhibitions soon through official diplomatic channels.

After the meeting, the guests toured the National Museum of Iran and became acquainted with Iran’s historical and cultural artifacts.

Attending the meeting were Zhannar Dossayeva, Deputy Head of the Culture Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan; Sagila Nurlanova, Head of the National Archives of Kazakhstan; Beik Murad Haidar, Deputy Ambassador of Kazakhstan; Karam Mezzai, Head of the Department of Archaeology and Islamic Art at the National Museum of Iran; Masoumeh Ahmadi, Head of International Affairs at the National Museum of Iran; and Roshan from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) The President of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, Samad Hassanzadeh, highlighted the geographical and cultural ties between Iran and Kazakhstan, stressing that these factors should facilitate stronger trade relations. However, he noted that the current trade volume does not reflect the full industrial and commercial potential of the two countries.

Hassanadeh pointed out Iran’s imports of agricultural products and semi-assembled engines from Kazakhstan and emphasized that Iran’s diverse production capabilities could lead to an expansion of exports to the Central Asian country.

He stated that Iran has significant capacities in various industries, including food processing, petrochemicals, engineering services, infrastructure construction (roads, bridges, tunnels, and dams), refinery development, pump and electromotor manufacturing, medical equipment, handicrafts, handmade carpets, building materials, mining projects, home appliances, textiles, and power plant construction. Each of these sectors, he noted, could serve as a foundation for bilateral cooperation.

Despite multiple cooperation agreements between Iran and Kazakhstan, Hassan-Zadeh expressed concern that many of these agreements have not been effectively implemented.

Additionally, he called for better planning to boost tourism and trade delegations between the two nations, given the recent visa waiver. He also suggested increasing student exchanges, including Iranian students studying in Kazakhstan and scholarship programs for Kazakh students in Iran, to enhance scientific and educational collaborations.

He stressed that resolving transportation challenges and easing banking relations would be critical to elevating the trade volume beyond $3 billion.

Amir Abedi, President of the Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber of Commerce, identified financial transactions as the primary obstacle to trade growth. He called for the establishment of executive committees by both governments to address banking issues and facilitate smooth business operations for Iranian traders in Kazakhstan.

Amir Yousefi, President of the Gorgan Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the presence of over 7,000 ethnic Kazakhs in Iran’s Golestan province, suggesting that the Incheh-Borun Free Trade Zone could be an attractive investment opportunity for Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to expanding trade ties to reach the $3 billion target. He noted that over 50 major Kazakh companies from 14 provinces participated in the recent trade meeting.

Discussions with Iran’s ministers of agriculture and industry explored practical solutions for achieving the trade goal. Shakkaliyev highlighted opportunities in the construction materials sector (such as ceramics), medical equipment, machinery, and food industries, projecting that trade in technical and engineering services alone could reach $500 million annually.

He also pointed out that with over 75,000 members in Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, the potential for private-sector collaboration is immense. However, without resolving banking challenges, trade growth would remain constrained. He proposed solutions to address these issues and expressed optimism about reaching favorable agreements.

Additionally, he identified transportation as another major hurdle and stressed the importance of utilizing the North-South Corridor for improved logistics.

Shakkaliyev concluded by advocating for the definition of 10 major joint industrial projects, which should be finalized in the Iran-Kazakhstan Economic Commission meeting scheduled for April.

Both Iran and Kazakhstan recognize the untapped potential in their trade relations. However, addressing banking and transportation issues remains crucial for reaching their ambitious $3 billion trade target. With strategic cooperation in various industries and infrastructure projects, both nations aim to strengthen their economic partnership in the coming years.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Hassamuddin Hallaj stated that the Tehran Chamber, in cooperation with the Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber, the International Office and specialized organizations of the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Trade Development Organization of Iran, will host the delegation.

The delegation’s visit, organized by the Kazakhstan Trade Policy Development Center, will be led by the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Hallaj noted, according to the Public Relations Department of the Tehran Chamber.

The Kazakh trade delegation includes economic actors from companies in the food and agriculture sectors, including producers of agricultural products, vegetables, oils and oilseeds, water, beverages, dairy products, tea, rice, grains, legumes, red meat, Norwegian trout farming, honey, macaroni and pasta, seasonings and flavorings, chips and snacks, meal and animal feed, as well as consumer goods, polymer products such as polyethylene, paints and resins, metals, chemical products and lubricants, medical equipment such as clean rooms, medical furniture, disposable medical products, construction materials such as stone, gypsum, cement and cable, transportation and logistics, textiles, and vehicles including ambulances.

Hallaj added that the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, along with the Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber of Commerce and the International Office and specialized organizations of the Ministry of Agriculture, will hold a business forum and business matchmaking sessions to expand trade interactions, create export opportunities, establish bilateral trade cooperation, and bilateral negotiation meetings. This event will take place at 9:00 AM on Saturday, February 17th, 2024, in the Kooh-e-Noor Hall of the Parsian Evin Hotel. Interested economic actors can attend and meet with members of the delegation.

According to Hallaj, the Republic of Kazakhstan is among the target trade countries of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce based on the strategic plan of the tenth term of the Board of Representatives of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, and raising the level of trade relations with this country is on the agenda of the activities of the Deputy for International Affairs and Trade Development of the Chamber.

In January of this year, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Tehran Chamber and the Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber, following which the expansion of bilateral cooperation in order to develop economic relations and trade exchanges with Kazakhstan was prioritized by both sides. This aims to assist trade delegations from both countries and provide an opportunity for economic actors from the two countries to familiarize themselves with the existing capacities in Iran and Kazakhstan, improve the level of trade relations, conduct trade matchmaking, and expand joint cooperation between Iranian and Kazakh companies, connect businesses, and more.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) The representative of FIBA announced on Saturday that the meeting between the Kazakhstan national team and Iran in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers resulted in a technical loss for Kazakhstan due to their absence.

Kazakhstan was scheduled to play Iran at the Azadi Basketball Hall in Tehran, but did not travel to participate in the match.

As a result, the Iranian team currently leads the standings with six points.

Iran, coached by Sotiris Manolopoulos, is set to face Qatar on November 25 in Doha.

The 2025 FIBA Asia Cup will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17.

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The forum brought together renowned leaders, policymakers, scholars, and experts to give them a voice that can empower their ideas for change.

In the opening ceremony and in his address at the plenary session, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described the current era as “a period of unprecedented geopolitical tensions” characterized by the “process of destroying the very foundation of the world order that has been built since the founding of the United Nations.”

He emphasized that the global system must work for all, bringing peace and prosperity to the many, not to the few.

President Tokayev shared the stage with heads of state and government and executives of international organizations, including the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva. Richard Quest, distinguished British journalist and CNN International news anchor, moderated the plenary discussion.

In her remarks, Georgieva stressed the importance of human contribution to world development, urging the young population to realize their potential.

“We know that there are a lot of opportunities. For example, in the private sector. The most valuable asset of the region are people! Some 60% of people are under 30. Central Asia can demonstrate to the rest of the world that working together is possible,” she said.

Georgieva emphasized the need for multilateralism and cooperation, saying that “if we master the political will, we can do it.”

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the AIF participants via a video address, calling on the world community to act promptly “to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reform an unfair financial architecture and address common threats at a series of important summits starting with the SDG Summit.”

President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, spoke to moderator Richard Quest about regional integration, stating that “Central Asian countries need to act together as a region through solidarity and coordinated policies.”

Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, Director-General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Audrey Azoulay, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana and Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Helga Schmid also attended the flagship session of the AIF.

The two-day international event aimed to find solutions to the current global challenges and find ways to promote peace, prevent conflict, and organize the global order for the benefit of the whole world.

Meanwhile on June 9, President Tokayev highlighted the essential contribution of the United Nations (UN) to the agenda of the Astana International Forum (AIF) during a meeting with the UN delegation on June 9 in Astana, reported the Akorda press service.

The UN delegation included Armida Alisjahbana, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ivana Živković, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), David Chikvaidze Chef De Cabinet, Office of the UN Director-General, and Michaela Friberg-Storey, UN Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan.

Tokayev emphasized the UN’s exceptional role in strengthening peace and ensuring security.

The President stressed the need to carry out a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, noting the importance of its expansion. He also reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to join efforts with the UN to strengthen its role.

Over 20 different UN institutions are successfully operating in Kazakhstan. Tokayev reiterated the initiative to open the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. The center will focus on strengthening the coordination of UN agencies with the region’s governments by adopting comprehensive measures to advance the 2030 Agenda.

High-ranking UN diplomats shared their impressions of the AIF, highlighting the platform’s strategic importance in developing approaches to addressing the pressing challenges of our time. Central Asia’s role was particularly noted in the transport and logistics sphere and digitalization.

The parties discussed the prospects for developing multifaceted cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UN institutions and exchanged views on topical issues of the international and regional agenda.

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Speaking in a press conference at Parsian Azadi Hotel of Tehran, Mr. Orazbay briefed the participants of recent political and economic developments in Kazakhstan and pointed to the upcoming presidential election which will be held on November 20 and it will be a turning point in the history of the country.

The ambassador first pointed to the historic decision of incumbent Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for announcing the launch of a new political reform program and a number of socio-economic measures.

A constant institutional reloading and upgrading of the country’s party map and electoral system, significant renewal of the composition and functions of the parliament, the government, and the local authorities, partial decentralization of the power, development and democratization of the local administration and representation, increase of the effectiveness of the local law enforcement agencies and establishment of new groups of reforms are long-term reforms in the political system which have been announced by President Tokayev, the ambassador noted.

Mr. Orazbay then went on to say that President Tokayev has called for snap presidential elections which has been decided to be held on November 20. He added that Mr. Tokayev recommended limiting the president’s term to one term of seven years and re-election would be prohibited and this will help the political system not to be monopolized by one president.

Then the ambassador pointed to the election campaign promises of Mr. Tokayev in different fields as he  has vowed to adjust payment system and boosting livelihood of the people and bring competition and equal opportunities for all people.

The president has vowed to increase the salary base from 60,000 to 70,000 tenge and this will affect the incomes of over 1.8m citizens.

Launching a new national fund for children, issuing visas for high-skilled foreigners and significant investors and easing business activities are of the other promises of Mr. Tokayev, Orazbay continued.

Orazbay noted that Mr. Tokayev has reiterated that if he is elected, there will be rule of law, transparency and openness and justice in the country.

The diplomat then pointed to the important strategic geographical position of Kazakhstan which has made the country a good destination for investment as the country is now the largest economy in the Central Asia as the country has attracted over $400b of foreign investment the biggest in the region.

Orazbay then reiterated that Kazakh President has realized the country needs some reforms as its young population demands it and he wants to implement the reforms as soon as possible to push the country to a better position in the region and the world.

Meanwhile in the presser, Head of Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber of Commerce Mr. Amir Abedi pointed to the strategic location of Kazakhstan and importance of this country for Iranian traders and said that during the pandemic, Kazakhstan was the only country had kept its borders open for Iranian traders and hailed Kazakhstan for revoking visa regime for Iranian citizens which will help the trade between the two countries to increase.

Tehran University Teacher Ms. Elahe Koulaee also in the presser pointed to the performance of Kazakhstan since its independence and hailed it for having a balanced political relation with countries and also hailed Mr. Tokayev for his bod decision for implementing reforms which will help the country progress more.

Then reporters in the event raised some questions and Mr. Orazbay answered them.

Kazakhstan on November 20 will hold the seventh presidential election since its independence in 1991 and six contenders will compete to administer the country. For the first time, there are two female candidates in the presidential election in Kazakhstan as the country has invited international observers to monitor the election process.

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CAPTION: Kazakhstan Ambassador Mr. Askhat Orazbay (C), Dr. Elahe Koulaee (L) and Head of Iran-Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce Amir Abedi (R) attend the press conference at Parsian Azadi Hoel of Tehran on Tuesday, November 8.

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