Iran private sector says bilateral annual trade volume with Turkmenistan can reach three billion dollars.
“Iran’s trade volume with neighbouring countries, with which shares borders, is in billion dollars. For example, Iran-Turkey trade is $10bn, Iran-Iraq’s trade is more than $15bn and Iran-Afghanistan’s trade is $4bn,” said Mohammad Reza Karbasi, Deputy Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) for international affairs on Monday.
“We share border with Turkmenistan as well. We believe that it’s possible to start a new era in bilateral economic relations between the two countries. We are certain that our trade volume can reach 3 billion dollars,” he added in a meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan Dovletgeldi Rejepov.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the first Caspian Sea Economic Forum that was held in Avaza Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan.
Bilateral trade volume between Tehran and Ashgabat reached $2bn in 2014 but plummeted to $250m in 2018, according to Karbasi.
“Increasing the trade volume again needs some infrastructure such as easing tradesmen visits to each country. Iran has had good advances in this regard and we can do the same with Turkmenistan as well,” he mentioned.
The ICCIMA deputy for international affairs proposed barter trade to both balance and increase bilateral trade volume.
He also called for resumption of direct flights between the two countries to facilitate travel of Iranian and Turkmen businessmen.
Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan Dovletgeldi Rejepov expressed regret that Iranian businesses aren’t interested in Turkmenistan.