During the visit, the Iranian delegation met and held talks with the minister of industry and investment, the minister of energy, the minister of mines and geology, and finally the prime minister of Uzbekistan, Mohammad-Sadegh Ghanadzadeh, Trade Promotion Organization (TPO)’s deputy head for International Business Promotion, said on Monday.

The agreement of the central banks of the two countries to activate a banking exchange mechanism and the introduction of commercial banks to advance technical negotiations, the acceptance of the Most Favored Nation (MFN) principle by the Uzbek government after several years of negotiations, and the signing of the executive document for the preferential trade agreement between the two countries are among the agreements reached between the two sides during the industry minister’s visit to Tashkent, according to Ghanadzadeh.

The two sides also agreed on the cooperation and participation of Iran in the overhaul of Uzbekistan’s gas turbines, the establishment of a regional service center for repairs and overhaul of oil, refinery, and power plant equipment in Uzbekistan, and the establishment of gas pressure boosting stations for the country, the official said.

“Iran is also going to participate and invest in the construction of thermal power plants in Uzbekistan, and the Uzbek government has agreed to hand over large areas of metal mines, including iron ore, copper, gold, etc., to Iranian contractors for executive operations from extraction to production,” he added.

Preliminary agreements on the formation of a joint logistics company and the supply of freight wagons by Iran for the development of transportation between the two countries, preliminary agreement on the presence of large Iranian contractors in Uzbekistan’s infrastructure projects and facilitation regarding guarantees, preliminary agreement on facilitating the registration of Iranian drugs and medical equipment in Uzbekistan and equipping medical centers with medical equipment based on Iranian knowledge were also part of the achievements of this trip.

Iran, Uzbekistan can boost annual trade to $1b

Before he visited Uzbekistan, Aliabadi had met with Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Tehran Fariddin Nasriyev, in which he stressed the need to increase the two countries’ trade exchanges to one billion dollars per year.

“Currently, the value of trade between the two countries is around 500 million dollars, so achieving the one-billion-dollar goal is not a high expectation and can be reached,” Aliabadi said.

The minister expressed hope that the cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan can become an example for the future cooperation between Iran and Eurasia, adding: “Important areas such as agriculture, electricity, and energy can create broad fields of cooperation.”

Nasriyev also stated in this meeting that “our country is fully prepared for the development of trade relations, and as you mentioned, 500 million dollars is not appropriate for the level of relations between the two countries.”

In mid-June, 2023, Iran and Uzbekistan signed several memorandums of understanding in various fields including transportation, transit, investment, and insurance for expanding economic ties.

Iranian Transport Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash and his Uzbek counterpart signed a document on comprehensive transportation and transit cooperation.

Iranian Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Ehsan Khandouzi also signed two MOUs with the Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov for establishing joint free zones and expanding cooperation in investment and insurance sectors.

Also, the ministers discussed the establishment of an investment company to transfer Iran’s technical know-how to Uzbekistan.

It should be noted that the mentioned agreements and MOUs have been signed as part of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to Iran on top of a high-ranking politico-economic delegation.

Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) also hosted an Iran-Uzbekistan business forum concurrent with the visit of Uzbekistan’s president to Tehran.

The forum was attended by high-ranking officials from both countries including Kudratov and Iranian Industry, Mining and Trade Minister Abbas Ali-Abadi, and ICCIMA former Head Gholam-Hossein Shafeie.

Representatives from 50 different Uzbek companies also participated in the event.

The Uzbek companies attending the forum were active in different areas including agriculture, sweets, chemicals, cosmetics and drugs, construction materials, digital technologies, mining and geology, irrigation systems, plastic and textile industries, electronic equipment, leather, jewelry, and auto industries, energy, and transportation.

Also on September 22, 2023, Iran and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand cooperation in petrochemical industry.

The MOU was signed between Iran’s National Petrochemical Company (NPC) and Uzbekistan’s Uzkimyosanoat, on the sidelines of Iran’s 17th International Exhibition of Plastic, Rubber, Machinery, and Equipment (Iran Plast 2023).

Morteza Shah-Mirzaei, the NPC managing director, and Korzhikov Evgeniy Aleksandrovich, the deputy chairman of the board for Investments and innovations of Uzkimyosanoat, inked the mentioned MOU.

The document was signed following the agreement of the presidents of the two countries, and finalizing the fields of joint cooperation, and reviewing the cooperation method are among its provisions.

EF/MA

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A delegation from Uzbekistan will meet representatives of some Iranian knowledge-based companies on Saturday, January 6, in Tehran to discuss and negotiate further issues.

Uzbekistan planning to boost tech co-op with Iran

Nasriev Fariddin Badriddinovich, ambassador of Uzbekistan to Iran, visited achievements of Iranian knowledge-based companies in the 11th exhibition of Iranian-made laboratory equipment and materials, Iran Lab Expo 2024, on Thursday.

“Last year (2023), our trade with Iran in various fields of technology was about 500 million dollars. We’re planning to increase it to 1 billion dollars,” IRNA quoted Badriddinovich as saying.

He went on to say that Uzbekistan gives priority to agriculture and textiles for technological cooperation with Iran.

In October 2023, Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-based Economy Rouhollah Dehqani-Firouzabadi traveled to Tashkent to discuss developing technological cooperation with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Ibrahim Abdurakhmanov.

Dehqani-Firouzabadi was invited to attend the International Inno-week 2023, IRNA reported.

He was also scheduled to meet Uzbekistan’s industry minister.

Apart from visiting the exhibition in which 25 Iranian knowledge-based companies were taking part, Dehqani Firouzabadi planned to visit the Iran House of Innovation and Technology in Tashkent, laying the groundwork for concluding several technology contracts and expanding knowledge-based exports.

iHiT in Tashkent

On June 18, 2023, the Iran House of Innovation and Technology (iHiT) in the city of Tashkent was inaugurated, aimed at introducing knowledge-based, technological, and creative products of Iran to Uzbekistan, and facilitating scientific interactions and cooperation between the two countries, IRNA reported.

The private sector invested about $4 million to establish the iHiT Tashkent.

The two sides signed a technological cooperation agreement worth $10 million in the field of energy under the support of the house of innovation and technology.

Exporting technological products of Iranian knowledge-based companies is one of the important and key programs of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, and in this regard over the past years, with the support of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, the Iranian houses of innovation have been set up in several countries to develop the global market for knowledge-based products.

These centers have already been set up in countries such as Russia, Turkey, China, Syria, Kenya, Armenia, and Iraq.

By supporting innovative ideas, and holding technological and innovative events, the centers will be a platform for the development and promotion of Iranian knowledge-based companies, startups, and creative industries.

Iran Lab Expo 2024

The 11th exhibition of Iranian-made laboratory equipment and materials named ‘IRAN LAB EXPO 2024’ opened in Tehran on Tuesday and will wrap up today, January 5.

Supported by the Vice-Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, the international exhibition is showcasing 10,500 innovative products, IRNA reported.

A total of 366 technological companies are presenting their latest technological achievements, laboratory equipment, and advanced testing.

Moreover, some nine technological products of knowledge-based companies are unveiled during the exhibition.

The 2024 exhibition of Iranian-made laboratory equipment and materials will display Iran-made products in 14 thematic sections including “Oil and Petrochemical”; “Electricity”;  “Electronics and Software”; “Civil and Construction”, “Mechanics”; “Chemistry and Metallurgy”; “Agriculture and Environment”; “Basic Physics”; “General Laboratory Equipment”;  “Laboratory materials”; “Medical engineering and biomaterials”; “Industrial test equipment”; “Calibration services” and “Educational and laboratory equipment for schools” are among different sections of the technological exhibition.

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Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf made the remarks in a joint press conference with the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of Uzbekistan Nurdinjon Ismailov who at the head of a parliamentary delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday night.

“Given Iran has prioritized the development of relations with neighboring and regional countries, especially Islamic countries, the development of relations with Uzbekistan is one of our priorities,” said Qalibaf.

He added that Iran can develop its relations with Uzbekistan in the political, economic and cultural fields. “There are good and favorable opportunities in the development of economic, transportation and transit relations with Uzbekistan, especially in the use of the north-south corridor and the east-west corridor.”

The Iranian parliament speaker went on to say that Iran is looking to expand its relations with Uzbekistan in cultural and tourism fields as well.

According to Qalibaf, the two sides also discussed Afghanistan developments in their meeting.

He added: “Considering the situation in Afghanistan, the countries of the region need cooperation to help Afghanistan. We hope that these meetings can lead to the development of relations in the region.”

Nurdinjon Ismailov, for his part, said that the President of Uzbekistan will visit Iran next month, adding that relations between Iran and Uzbekistan have developed in all fields in recent years.

Stating that the development of economic and commercial relations between Iran and Uzbekistan is emphasized during the meeting, he said, that the development of relations and cooperation in the field of transportation and transit is very important.

The government of Uzbekistan, like the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has prioritized the development of relations with the countries of the region, Ismailov noted.

Stating that the parliamentary cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan is expanding in recent years, he added that great steps have been taken to improve the relations between the two countries.

Ismailov pointed out: “Of course, these days, parliamentary cooperation between the two countries is developing, and in recent years, we have taken great steps in this field, and our meeting today was a logical continuation of the talks between the speakers of the two parliaments in Tashkent. When governments try to develop relations, parliaments should also try to provide legal foundations for the development of these relations.”

“We talked about Afghanistan, we both have a common border with Afghanistan, and its situation is very important to us, and establishing peace and security in it is very important to us. We are determined to improve the situation in Afghanistan as much as possible,” he added.

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As reported, Hojatollah Abdolmaleki participated in the international investment meeting of Uzbekistan, which was held in the presence of the president and other high-ranking officials of this country and heads of international and regional financial organizations and institutions.

By visiting several free and special zones of Uzbekistan, the Iranian official discussed the benefit and use of joint capacities and opportunities for investment and trade between the two countries

Two weeks ago, Abdolmaleki announced that Iran is negotiating with 17 countries for the establishment of joint free zones and said by setting up these free zones, trade and investment will be facilitated.

He named Russia as one of the countries in this due.

In mid-March, the deputy head of the Free Zones High Council said that Iran and Iraq have reached an agreement to form a joint free trade zone on the border of the two countries in the near future.

According to Ahmad Jamali, the decision for establishing the mentioned zone was made during the two countries’ fifth Joint Economic Committee meeting in Baghdad.

Underlining the fact that three of Iran’s major free zones are located near the Iraqi border, Jamali noted that along with the joint zone, these four free trade zones can play a significant role in boosting the trade exchanges between the two countries.

The establishment of free trade zones (FTZs) in Iran dates back to the Iranian calendar year 1368 (March 1989 – March 1990) following the fall in the country’s oil income in the preceding year which prompted the government to promote non-oil exports.

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The two sides emphasized the significance of enhancing bilateral ties and promoting the level of scientific, cultural and economic cooperation between Iranian knowledge-based and creative firms and their Uzbek counterparts.

Sattari said that there was a good opportunity for the enhancement of economic ties and cooperation between Iranian and Uzbek scientists and elite, adding, “One of the priorities of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, regarding the expansion of ties between the two countries, is to broaden university exchanges.”

“Such exchanges lead, in a way, to the expansion of cultural communications. Currently there are 7,000 knowledge-based and creative companies active in Iran in technological areas, which can speed up the enhancement of scientific ties and tech cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan. Of course, this depends on tackling some existing challenges such as the issue of visa. The main problem facing relations between Iranian and Uzbek knowledge-based firms is the visa issue, which we hope will be resolved,” Sattari said.

“Iranian knowledge-based and creative firms have based their activities on innovation. Many of Iran’s problems as well as economic and social challenges have been overcome thanks to the same innovative measures. Tomorrow, around 80 knowledge-based and creative companies will take part in a joint meeting with the corresponding Uzbek firms so that they can increase their presence in this country besides presenting their capabilities and products,” the senior official said.

Sattari added, “Our companies have presented a variety of products in the fields of information and communication technology, medical and laboratory equipment, nanotech, ecotechnology, stem cells, and advanced technologies, which can help fulfill the needs of Uzbekistan.”

Bilateral cooperation between technological firms can take place within the framework of mutual investments so that the firms can introduce their products and engage in tech exchanges,” he added.

Sattari went on to say, “Under a host of sanctions, Iran has succeeded, over the past years, in developing indigenous technologies and capabilities in different fields, and we stand ready to share them with the other side’s companies.”

“The high quality of Iranian products and, of course, the more reasonable prices compared to foreign models are among the advantages of Iranian technologies. Iranian tech firms have developed technologies in the maritime field and in terms of access to deep seas, which can facilitate transfers between the two states.

Besides allowing the monitoring of underground water resources, these technologies contribute to the discovery of different mines at a depth of 25 kilometers below the surface. Consequently, the discovery of water deep under the ground provide the opportunity to get access to water resources at different depths,” he said.

In turn, the Uzbek deputy premier described as positive the expansion of bilateral ties and stepped-up activation of relations in recent years.

“Within the framework of this meeting, we want to discuss the promotion of bilateral relations. Mutual economic and commercial cooperation is also in focus,” he said.

The two sides, he said, also seek to expand cooperation in petrochemical, textile and technological products, adding, “We have plans for the expansion of trade between the two countries, which will be followed up on. I hope that the joint working group will pursue joint cooperation between the two countries and the negotiations will bear fruit on the back of team work. In line with the tasks of this working group, we can deal with cooperation in the spheres of technology and economy.”

Kuchkarov pointed to the trip to Iran and visits paid to Iranian technological sector, saying he is certain that Sattari’s trip to Uzbekistan will help the enhancement of the activities of start-ups and knowledge-based firms active in tech-related fields.

He highlighted Iran’s achievements in the fields of nanotechnology, ecotechnoloy, and stem cells, as well as cooperation between knowledge-based firms, expressing hope that joint cooperation in such fields will be expanded.

The Uzbek official added that there were many areas for bilateral cooperation in the field of joint production of agricultural items via the transfer of the management of agricultural land and exchange of experience and technology in the area of agricultural research.

Heading a delegation of 40 knowledge-based and creative companies, Sattari travelled to Uzbekistan to pave the way for the development of technological and scientific exchanges between the two states.

Technological firms, which operate in technological fields such as agriculture, animal husbandry and health will take part in expert meetings with 150 corresponding Uzbek companies and will work to increase their share of Uzbekistan’s market.

Meanwhile, an exhibition is being held in Uzbekistan putting on display 100 products from 80 Iranian creative and knowledge-based companies. Managers of Uzbek tech firms and businesspeople will visit the exhibition, in what could be an opportunity for Iranian knowledge-based and creative products to make their way into this country’s market and the broader Eurasia region.

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Umurzakov pointed to the cultural and social commonalities of Iran and Uzbekistan which makes cooperation between the two countries easy. He added that last year the trade between the two countries was doubled and exceeded $450b as there are more capacities to increase it to $1b.

He went on to say that both countries can cooperate on producing joint products, adding that soon they will finalize the preferential trade agreement. He said expansion of transportation and transit of goods are of major programs of Uzbekistan which can help the trade between Iran and Uzbekistan to increase.

Umurzakov added that some 347 Iranian companies are now active in Uzbekistan and are busy in different fields. He reiterated that Iran and Uzbekistan are not rivals but their economies are complementary and for this reason they can cooperate on joint productions.

He noted that soon an Uzbek delegation led by Uzbekistan Innovative DevelopmentMinister will visit Tehran for talks on the mutual interested fields.

He said Iran and Uzbekistan can work together in the field of pharmaceutical projects as Iran has achieved considerable progress in this field. He reiterated that Iranian pharmaceutical companies can also invest or produce in six special trade zones of Uzbekistan and enjoy the facilities of the zones.

Umurzakov went on to say that agriculture and construction materials are of the other fields that Iran and Uzbekistan can cooperate.

In the forum, Vice-President on Economic Affairs Mohsen Rezaee also said that the current government is focused on expanding cooperation with neighbor states and hailed Uzbekistan for recent decisions to boost all-out ties with Tehran and said Tehran and Tashkent can connect 800m people in two regions. He said the government is working hard on easing trade and investment which will accelerate the foreign trade and investment.

Earlier in the forum, Head of Iran’s chamber of commerce Gholam-Hossein Shafei reiterated that cooperation with Uzbekistan is very important for Iran, adding that recent developments in Uzbekistan have encouraged Iranians for trade in Uzbekistan.

He added that commonalities between the two countries have given a special status to Uzbekistan among Iranians.

He went on to say that Iran’s geopolitical position has made the country be center of attraction in the region.

He then pointed to some fields for cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan and called for resolving banking problems, removal of tariffs and resolving transportation and transit problems which are the major hurdles in way of boosting trade between Iran and Uzbekistan.

He added that Iran’s chamber this year set up the Iran-Uzbekistan Joint Chamber to facilitate the trade between the two countries and asked Uzbekistan to launch the same chamber in Tashkent to ease trade and to resolve problems of traders in case of trade.

The high-level Uzbek economic delegations began their talks on Sunday evening in Tehran.

A memorandum of understanding of the Joint Commission in the economy, investment, customs, transportation, energy, health, science and technology, culture, tourism, and agriculture was signed.

At the beginning of the summit, Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Reza Fatemi Amin and Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Umurzakov stressed the need to expand comprehensive cooperation.

Uzbekistan is one of the most crucial target countries for Iran’s exports, and exports to the country have been growing in recent months.

Meanwhile Umurzakov in meeting with Iranian Vice-President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari emphasized his country’s readiness to develop technological cooperation with Iran.

Appreciating Iran’s achievements in the field of technology, innovation and development of knowledge-based companies, He said that there is a very good opportunity for technological cooperation between the two countries and Uzbekistan are ready to interact with Iran in this field.

Referring to the establishment of the Uzbek Ministry of Innovative Development, he said that the Ministry is ready to cooperate with Iran in the field of technology.

Saying that Iran’s experience can lead to the development of Uzbekistan’s science and technology parks and companies and start-ups, he added that Iran and Uzbekistan can even produce joint products.

He also pointed to the creation of a roadmap on forming extensive cooperation between the two countries in the field of science and technology and suggested that an Uzbek delegation consisting of businesses and technology activists visit Iran to review all areas of the cooperation and create a roadmap in this regard.

He also invited the Iranian Vice-President for Science and Technology Sattari to his country to attend Tashkent International Investment Forum.

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During the meeting, both Iranian and Uzbek sides explored ways for boosting trade between the two countries as well as cooperation on the customs affairs.

In the meeting Moqaddasi pointed to the capabilities of IRICA in implementing customs projects based on modern information technologies and possibility of sharing its experiences with Customs Administration of Uzbekistan and called for boosting cooperation on the customs affairs as well as trade exchanges between the two states in the framework of the signed agreements and economic pacts. He then announced readiness of the IRICA for easing and accelerating the Customs formalities of the commercial goods as well as the transit and transport of the goods.

Touching upon the eTIR, Moqaddasi said Iran has achieved some successes in this field as it has implemented this project with Turkey as the pilot plan, adding that the customs administrations of Iran and Uzbekistan can have good cooperation with just signing a simple agreement.

He then pointed to the policies of the Islamic Republic regarding the boost in cooperation in the field of customs and trade with neighboring and friendly countries, and said the cooperation in the field of customs can include fighting the smuggle of goods and combating with the fake documents through e-exchange of information.

Moqaddasi noted that one of the concerns of the customs office is the smuggle of drugs and for this reason, some advanced x-ray-equipped devices have been installed at the border checkpoints  and customs of Iran like at Lotfabad, Bazargan, Sarakhs, Dowqarun and Incheboron and it can boost the security of the trade.

He also invited his Uzbek counterpart for signing a MoU for cooperation on the customs affairs in the future.

Then Rakhimov who is leading the Uzbek delegation to Tehran, for his part, expressed his satisfaction over the meeting and voiced the interest of his country for expansion of cooperation with Iran on the customs affairs and trade exchanges and expressed hope that with signing the MoU on bilateral cooperation, the trade volume of the two countries would increase more.

He then pointed to the emphasis of presidents of the two countries for broadening economic and trade cooperation and said that all existing capacities should be used for enhancing the bilateral trade.

Rakhimov noted that Uzbekistan has prepared a MoU which is ready to be signed and the draft for MoU on TIR project is ready to be signed. On the e-exchange of customs information, he said condition should be provided for the project to be operationalized.

He also called for formation of a specialized group for exchange of information and answering to questions of those who are involved in the trade and transport, adding that a new level of co-operations between the customs and trade officials of the two countries should start.

Rakhimov reiterated that Uzbekistan wants more trade and exchange of information with Iran and to this end,two cooperation documents are under study to have the final signing.

According to the statistics, the trade between Iran and Uzbekistan in 9 months this year has exceeded $407m that Iran’s share of trade is $310m while Uzbekistan has exported goods worth $97m in this period. The studies show that the trade between the two countries is gradually on the rise.

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In meeting with Head of Iran-Uzbekistan parliamentary friendship group Gholam Reza Noori, the Uzbek diplomat referred to historical and cultural commonalities between two countries, saying senior Uzbek officials have always emphasized developing political, economic and parliamentary ties with Iran.

Cooperation on regional agreements and establishing a transport corridor for the transit of goods can improve the level of economic relations between Central Asian countries and other Asian states, he noted. He said both countries can complete each other in the economic scenes.

Meanwhile Noori, for his part, said continuation of consultations in international and regional organizations can improve economic relations between the regional countries.

He described U.S.’ cruel sanctions against Iran and COVID19 as factors in reducing the level of economic relations and called on the public and private economic actors in both countries to be more active.

Both countries have always enjoyed a positive parliamentary relationship, which can help develop ties in the political, economic and cultural fields, he added.

He expressed regret for the recent terrorist attack in Afghanistan which resulted in killing an injuring Afghan student, saying security cooperation between the regional countries, especially Iran and Uzbekistan, can help resolve tensions in the region, establish stability and security in Afghanistan, and fight extremist groups.

Last month and during his visit to Uzbekistan, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Islamic Republic of Iran can ease transit route for Uzbekistan to the global markets.

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with his Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov,  Zarif  pointed to the common history between Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan and stated that historical commonalities between Iran and Uzbekistan will expand and enhance preliminaries of friendship between the two countries to a great extent.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of mutual concerns in the fields of economic, political, and cultural relations, strengthening expansion of bilateral ties between Iran and Uzbekistan and also regional cooperation regarding peace in Afghanistan.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) – Uzbekistan is geared up to increase direct flights from Iran, said Uzbek Ambassador to Iran Bahador Abdullayev in a business forum in Tehran.

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