President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Gholam Hossein Shafei voiced the readiness of Iranian private sector to further boost trade exchanges with Kyrgyzstan.
Shafei made the remarks during a meeting in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, with Kyrgyzstan’s ambassador to Iran Turdakun Sydykov.
Expansion of economic and trade relations with regional and neighboring countries tops the agenda of the Iranian government and the country’s private sector, Shafei said, adding that Kyrgyzstan has a special place in Iran’s foreign trade.
He noted that Iran’s membership in Eurasia Economic Union and Shanghai Cooperation Organization can serve can serve as a base for promotion economic relations between Tehran and Bishkek.
The president of Iran Chamber of Commerce referred to the wide range of economic activities between Iran and Kyrgyzstan and said that the two countries enjoy a significant volume of trade in different areas, including, mining, agriculture and SMEs.
Ground prepared for Iran’s overseas farming in Kyrgyzstan
Shafei also referred to Kyrgyzstan’s rich water resources which he said prepares the ground for overseas farming activities in the country.
Given the shortage of water resources in Iran, the Iranian authorities have been mulling over the possibility of overseas farming over the past few years, Shafei said, urging the need for negotiations between the Iranian and Kyrgyz officials in this regard.
He underlined the significance of railway transportation between Iran and Kyrgyzstan, noting that both countries have to negotiate with linking countries to remove the obstacles on the way of rail transportation.
Kyrgyzstan to ease visa requirements for Iranian tourists and businesspersons
The Kyrgyz ambassador, for his part, voiced his country’s willingness to boost economic cooperation with Iran.
Sydykov said that the ground is prepared for investment in Kyrgyzstan’s different projects such as dam making, construction, agriculture, health, tourism and processing industries.
He noted that Kyrgyzstan will do its best to attract businesspersons and tourists and plans to ease visa requirements in this regard.
The ambassador urged the need for launching a direct flight between Mashhad and Bishkek.