President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture Samad Hassanzadeh expressed concern over the current low trade volume between Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina, calling on both governments and private sectors to implement strategic economic plans to increase bilateral trade.
In a meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ambassador to Iran, Nijaz Čardaklija, Hassanzadeh emphasized the competitiveness of Iranian products, particularly in agricultural goods, which meet global standards and are exported to many countries. He added that Iran is ready to export semi-finished construction materials to Bosnia, where they can be completed and either sold domestically or re-exported to other markets. Hassanzadeh believes that such collaborations could significantly enhance trade exchanges between the two countries.
Referring to the ease of visa issuance between the two nations, Hassanzadeh also highlighted the potential for expanding tourism cooperation, particularly in health tourism, as a means to foster stronger ties.
Ambassador Čardaklija pointed out that with a population of just three million, Bosnia and Herzegovina should not be viewed solely as a destination for Iranian goods. He suggested that Bosnia could serve as a gateway for Iranian products into the Balkans and the broader European market, making re-exportation a key area for potential cooperation.
Čardaklija also noted that Bosnia has the capacity to meet many of its needs through imports from Iran and called for the identification of new ways to strengthen economic ties.
He further proposed that the establishment of a branch of Iran Chamber of Commerce in Sarajevo, or a commercial center in Bosnia, could facilitate deeper business ties between the two nations.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a preferential trade agreement with Iran, Čardaklija added, though he lamented that the agreement has not been fully implemented, with only 10% of its potential being utilized.
He stressed that both countries’ private sectors need to make concerted efforts to increase trade, noting that 75% of Bosnia’s exports go to European Union countries, which guarantees the high quality of its goods.