Iran and Uzbekistan are intensifying efforts to expand bilateral trade, with Iranian officials calling for the swift conclusion of a preferential trade agreement and greater economic integration between the two countries.
At a joint business forum held on the sidelines on Iran Expo 2025, Payam Bagheri, Vice President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, said the $500 million trade volume recorded in 2024 falls short of the countries’ true potential.
“There is strong enthusiasm on both sides, rooted in shared cultural and historical ties,” Bagheri noted. “Iran has substantial capacity in agriculture, food production, mining, energy, tourism, and other industries.”
Bagheri argued that implementing a preferential trade agreement would significantly accelerate trade growth and help unlock new economic opportunities. He also emphasized the importance of easing banking restrictions, expanding the list of traded goods, lifting Uzbekistan’s business visa requirements, and encouraging cooperation in technology and innovation sectors.
Bagheri reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to send and receive trade delegations, saying stronger institutional cooperation could help trade between the two nations exceed $1 billion in the near future.