On Monday, the first specialized meeting between the private sectors of Iran and Ukraine was held and the meeting was focused on the agriculture because statistics show that the major trade exchange between the two countries last year was in agro products sector.

In the meeting, head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Mr. Gholam-Hossein Shafei, Head of Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) Gennadiy Chyzhykov, and ambassadors of both countries were present.

In the meeting, Chyzhykov expressed his satisfaction on the current level of cooperation between the chambers of commerce of the two countries and the MoU which signed between them in 2017, and said according to the MoU, these co-operations have been formed and fortunately it is active.

He said the trade between Iran and Ukraine was over $400m last year that agro products account for 95 percent of the total trade and it indicates the position of ago sector in the relations between Iran and Ukraine.

Chyzhykov went on to say that currently the trade exchanges between the two countries are done via the third part country, adding that if the grounds are eased in a way that both counties trade directly, the level of trade will definitely increase by three-fold and to exceed $1b.

He then referred to the views of the exports about the hurdles in way of cooperation between Iran and Ukraine and said the financial relation is complicated and it should be eased through adopting proper methods. He stated that currently Ukrainian economic activists and entrepreneurs are waiting for a condition where the financial exchange is restored and therefore the two countries should take advantage of views of exports to resolve the problem.

Then Ukrainian Ambassador to Tehran Mr. Sergey Bordiliak said that such seminars and meetings are to be continued by the yearend in cooperation between the provincial chambers of commerce of the two countries in line with developing cooperation.

He added holding specialize seminars and meetings like today’s which has been allocated to the field of agriculture is a good idea and it stops controversies and it ushers both sides to make certain decisions and these co-operations should not be limited to the agriculture and it should be expanded to other sectors in the similar meetings.

Bordiliak went on to say that the trade volume between Iran and Ukraine was $1.1b in 2017, adding that unfortunately the bilateral trade is done via the third party country and therefore there is no exact statistics on the current trade volume between the two countries. He stated irrespective of the restrictions and sanctions, the trade between the two countries rose by 14 percent in 2020, and, of course, the trade balance was significantly in favor of Ukraine and this year the figure should increase.

He reiterated that the embassy has plans to ease issuing licenses for Iranians to boost their trade with Ukraine by signing agreements.

Meanwhile, Head of ICCIMA Mr. Shafei, for his part, said that the meeting is a new beginning for talks between the private sectors of the two countries, adding that this is the first specialized meeting between the traders of the two countries which has been allocated to the agriculture.

He then referred to the sincere relations between the chambers of two countries and exchanges of trade delegations in the past and assed positively the chamber-centered activities of the two countries in their future trade exchanges.

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President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Mr. Gholam-Hossein Shafei and President of Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) Mr. Gennadiy Chyzhykov as well as other participants exchanged their views on how both countries can develop their bilateral trade.

Addressing the webinar, Mr. Shafei underscored this point that the private sectors of both countries are keen to boost bilateral trade, adding that sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic are two major factors that have recently hindered the development of trade relations between Iran and Ukraine.

He went on to say that however, state officials and private sectors of the two countries are very determined to develop ties, expressed hope that a brighter and more active economic prospect would be drawn up for both countries.

He also pointed to the restrictions in financial transactions and called for the launch and reinforcement of the barter trade system as he believes most of the problems will be solved by this action.

Shafei also admitted that the arrival of unprofessional tradesmen in the target countries leads to trade disputes and causes problems for the private sectors of the countries and suggested the establishment of some arbitration panels and credit bureaus to be put on the agenda. He reiterated he believes the establishment of arbitration panels has an important role in making healthy relations between the two states as well as presenting professional tradesmen.

Then, President of UCCI Mr. Chyzhykov, for his part, hinted at this point that once the trade volume of Iran and Ukraine was around $1b per year, and then elaborated economic capacities in front of Iran and Ukraine.

He said Ukraine is one of the leading countries in the field of processing industries, agriculture especially in producing types of liquid oil, sunflower, soya, and corn and this provides considerable cooperation opportunities between Iran and Ukraine.

He also pointed to Ukraine’s position in the world in the field of telecommunications and IT which can be good grounds for bilateral cooperation.

Chyzhykov admitted that financial exchanges and restrictions due to the sanctions have been one of the major hurdles in way of developing trade between both states and called for constant holding virtual meetings as well as forming specialized committees for resolving this problem.

Then Head of International Affairs of ICCIMA emphasized the implementation of preferential trade between the two countries and called for immediate signing of the preferential trade agreements which plays important role in boosting the trade volume between the two states.

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