Indonesia has signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran’s private and public sector that would increase the country’s exports and imports through Iran’s Arvand Free Zone on the border with Iraq.
The Asian country’s ambassador to Iran, Octavino Alimuddin, says the MoU will allow his country to invest more in fishery. He added that Jakarta would be able to import dates through this channel as well.
“We can establish good cooperation in fishery and we are willing to send dates to Indonesia from this area given the high demand for this fruit,” said Alamuddin who emphasised the deal has provided “good opportunity” for both Iranian and Indonesian businessmen.
President of Abadan Chamber of Commerce Masoud Khayyat Zadeh has welcomed the agreement as a “first step” to develop economic ties with the Asian country. “Indonesia is a big Muslim country with significant status in Asia’s economy. That’s why Abadan’s Chamber of Commerce took the first step by inviting the Indonesian ambassador for signing the MoU”, said Khayyat Zadeh.
Indonesia is home to nearly 270 million people with a majority muslim population. The country is Iran’s 11th trade partner, according to the country’s ambassador reported by Mehr News Agency.
Abadan, on the border with Iraq, is one of the three Iranian cities that comprise Arvand Free Zone, which also includes Khorramshahr and Minu Island. The free trade zone is located at the confluence of Arvand and Karun rivers, in the northwest of the Persian Gulf, making it a strategic economic area for trade with Iraq and nearby Persian Gulf countries such as Kuwait.
The city’s Chamber of Commerce president called on Indonesia to invest more in Arvand Free Zone given zero import and export tariffs.
The Indonesian envoy to Iran, who also paid a visit to other trade facilities in the area, said Iraqis have welcomed the region’s free zone markets and are making lots of purchases there. “This is a good opportunity to invest in the region and we hope trade volumes increase”, added Alimuddin.