Head of the chamber of commerce of western Iranian province of Kermanshah Keyvan Kashefi has underlined the need for Iran’s further presence in the Iraqi market.
Kashefi, also a board member of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, made the remarks during a meeting of economic activists of the province on Wednesday.
Referring to the significance of exports to Iraq, as a main trade partner of Iran, the businessman said that a significant part of Iran’s total exports is destined for Iraq, with Kermanshah province having a 30 to 50 percent share of the exports.
Unlike last decade when Iran’s exports to Iraq were mainly rising, the exports of Iranian commodities to the western neighboring country have remained the same over the past three years at around $10 billion including gas exports, Kashefi said.
He complained about instability of trade laws and regulations for exports to Iraq, referring to sudden restrictions on exports to the country and the imposition of tariffs, especially for agricultural products.
“We need stable regulations for accelerating trade between the two countries,” Kashefi said.
Pointing to the possibility of importing commodities such as fuel and oil products from Iraq, he noted that “the more we increase imports from Iraq, we will witness prosperity of trade at joint borders and our negotiating power will increase too.”
Kashefi also emphasized the need for issuance of long-term visas for Iranian businesspersons who work with Iraq and travel to the country on a regular basis.
Figures by the Iranian Customs Administration (IRICA) show that Iraq has been the country’s top export destination in the calendar year to late March.
IRICA spokesman Rouhollah Latifi said on Wednesday that Iran had sent $7.4 billion worth of shipments to the neighboring country.