Iran can meet its national needs despite economic restrictions by focusing on tourism, digital technology, and making greater use of its northern ports, the head of Iran-Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce said on Tuesday.
Amid a maritime blockade affecting the country’s southern ports, Iran is seeking to activate its northern border routes, particularly ties with Russia, according to Hadi Tizhoush Taban.
“One of the frontiers Iran can use – though to a limited extent – is its northern borders, especially connections with Russia,” he said, adding that goods imported from the north would require a dedicated logistics system and that infrastructure in this area must be reinforced.
TizhoushTaban also pointed to alternative domestic capacities that do not depend on ports or complex logistics. “We can benefit from regional tourism, the digital sphere, and technology. These sectors do not require ports or a special new logistics system,” he said.
He described a significant level of imports as essential for sustaining domestic production and called for a reduction in bureaucracy in trade processes.
The chamber head also reported that steel, food products, and animal feed inputs were being brought in through northern ports, albeit at higher costs.