Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation Vadim Chubarov has said that the Russian private sector is keen to import different commodities from Iran.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Iran Chamber of Commerce newsroom correspondent on the sidelines of a visit to Iran by a major Russian trade delegation, Chubarov said that Iran’s agricultural sector and other industries are highly advanced which indicate a serious perspective for cooperation with Russia.
He said that his country is highly inclined to import agricultural, petrochemical and constructional products from Iran.
He cited the president of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry who had referred to expert remarks which believe that the level of trade between Iran and Russia can grow ten-fold from the current $4 billion dollar to $40 billion.
Chubarov said that Moscow is in favor of a temporary agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) which has now been extended and is expected to turn into a permanent agreement.
He also voiced his country’s support for Iran’s membership and more active partnership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
A 120-member Russian trade delegation, headed by President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation Sergey Katyrin, visited Tehran in mid-November where an Iran-Russia business forum was held.
Addressing the business forum, President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Gholam Hossein Shafei said that expansion of trade relations between Tehran and Moscow requires more enhanced banking relations and transportation means.
Noting that the visiting Russian delegation is the biggest Russian delegation to Iran over the past 20 years, he underlined the need for taking further steps to give a boost to bilateral trade and ease visa requirements in this regard.
A preferential trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union opened a new chapter in Iran’s trade relations with this bloc, Shafei said, adding that the two sides are also finalizing a free trade agreement which will lift major hurdles on the way of trade exchanges.