Iran, Ghana agree to facilitate trade cooperation through free trade zones

Iran and Ghana have singed a document to consolidate their trade ties as Tehran looks to diversify its export destinations and trade partners.

24 June 2019
ID : 22065
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Iran and Ghana have singed a document to consolidate their trade ties as Tehran looks to diversify its export destinations and trade partners.

Executive Secretary of Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) Michael Okyere Baafi shakes hands with Secretary of the Supreme Council of Irans Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones Morteza Bank following signing an MoU in Kish Island. IRNA

Iran and Ghana have signed a Memorandom of Understanding (MoU) to faciliate trade cooperation. 

The document was signed by Secretary of the Supreme Council of Iran's Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones Morteza Bank and the Executive Secretary of Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) Michael Okyere Baafi in Kish Island on Sunday. 

Speaking in the ceremony, Bank referred to free trade zones' capacities in developing Iran's economy, saying joint economic cooperation between free trade zones of Iran and Ghana can create access to free zones' products and pave new ways for trade exchanges.

Meanwhile, deputy head of the Supreme Council of Iran's Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones for production, exports and technology affairs Akbar Eftekhari said free zones need sharing production potentials and investment opportunities with other countries.  

He added that participating in international exhibitions is one of the ways for presenting free zones' potentials.

Grounds have been prepared for taking advantage of electronic trade and the infrastructures related to information technology and communication in free zones, he noted.

He offered to create a platform between two countries free zones to help carry out electronic trade based on digital currencies.

Deputy head of the Supreme Council of Iran's Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones for cultural, tourism and industry affairs Mohammad Reza Rostami noted that the west African country has high capabilities in cultural and art fields.

He suggested that Ghana investors could perform studies on ecotourism resorts in free zones to experience attracting tourists in these areas.

The official described as effective holding cultural weeks between Iran and Ghana and exporting culture and handicrafts. 

Launching Iran-Ghana handicrafts export network can help develop the industry, he added.   

Okyere Baafi arrived in Tehran on 21 June  to visit Imam Khomeini Airport City, to hold talks with officials of the Supreme Council of Iran's Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones and to visit Kish Free Zone. 

Iranian exports to the west African nation rose sharply during the last Iranian year 1397 (to 20 march 2019) in comparison to a year before that. Exports to Ghana increased 128,69% in weight and 244,02% in value compared to the same period before that, according to Iran Customs Administration (IRICA). 

However, imports from Ghana declined 74,99% and 81,80% in weight and value respectively, figures show. 

In recent months, business delegations and officials from Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone have visited Iran to expand their trade exchanges.  

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