Iran Chamber of Commerce president says it is time for Tehran and Astana to move beyond traditional trade and pursue a strategic industrial and transit partnership, adding that the Iranian private sector was ready to turn negotiations into concrete projects and lasting regional cooperation.
Speaking at an Iran-Kazakhstan trade and economic seminar in Astana on Wednesday, Samad Hassanzadeh said Kazakhstan’s economy – with a GDP of more than $288 billion – makes it a key partner for Iran in Eurasia, though current trade levels fall far short of potential.
Hassanzadeh said removing existing barriers could lift trade to $3 billion and that the newly implemented Iran-Eurasia free trade agreement, which eliminates a large share of tariffs, will help cut transaction costs and open new routes. He said the deal offers Kazakhstan a “golden opportunity” to connect to Persian Gulf, South Asian, African and even European markets through Iran, while enabling Iran to become a distribution hub in Central Asia.
He outlined key proposals for deeper cooperation, including a joint Iran-Kazakhstan logistics terminal in southern Iranian ports, joint grain, meat and oil processing units, and a shared industrial zone in Iran’s free trade areas for exports to Eurasia.
He also called for a joint consortium to process Kazakh minerals in Iran for higher-value exports to third countries.
Hassanzadeh said the moment had come to elevate ties to a strategic economic, industrial and transit partnership, adding that Iran Chamber of Commerce stood ready to transform understandings into investments and long-term regional collaboration.