President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Samad Hassanzadeh has emphasized the need for establishing free and preferential trade agreements between Iran and Turkey during the 29th session of the Joint Economic Commission of the two countries.
Speaking at a business forum on the sidelines of the commission, Hassanzadeh highlighted the importance of trade tariff reforms, which he said would strengthen bilateral economic cooperation by aligning with the interests of both countries. He noted that although this initiative has been discussed in the past, it has yet to be fully realized.
Reforming preferential trade regulations, lifting bans, and announcing a list of eligible goods for preferential tariffs are essential for the growth of partnership between the two neighbors, he said.
Another key point raised by the Iran Chamber of Commerce president was the need to reduce transportation time and costs, reform customs procedures, and expand cooperation within the TIR Convention to streamline logistics. Hassanzadeh acknowledged that Iran had made significant progress in this area, calling for similar attention from Turkish authorities.
He added that the Iran Chamber of Commerce is committed to fostering a conducive environment for deeper trade ties between the two nations. "By adopting innovative approaches, we can significantly boost trade volume," Hassanzadeh remarked. "Last year, bilateral trade exceeded $10 billion, but this is far from the full potential of our two countries."
Iran, he noted, offers significant opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as mining, agriculture, food industries, petrochemicals, handicrafts, carpets, techno-engineering services and information technology. He also emphasized that Iran's strong mining resources and skilled workforce present attractive opportunities for joint investments in major projects.
The president of Iran Chamber of Commerce concluded by reaffirming that both chambers of commerce in Iran and Turkey are prepared to support any efforts to expand trade relations.