Kambiz Mir-Karimi, the vice chairman of Iran-Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce, has expressed optimism about the future of relations with Russia.
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, Mir-Karimi said that he believes Iran and Russia will register a record this year both in bilateral exports and imports.
He however regretted that Iran has an insignificant share of less than 0.5% of Russia’s $270 billion while the two countries enjoy cordial political relations.
Mir-Karimi blamed the low level of trade between Tehran and Moscow on failing to prepare the necessary infrastructures in the past.
He noted that the two countries have witnessed major efforts in promoting the infrastructures over the past two or three years in the light of a preferential trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Mir-Karimi said that a bulk of goods from and to Russia have been shifted to the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC), referring to efforts on the Iranian side to help further facilitate transit via this corridor.
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.