The head of the Bushehr Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture has announced the Iraqi government’s readiness to facilitate the transshipment of goods from Iraq’s Umm Qasr port to ports in Iran’s southern Bushehr province.
Khorshid Gazderazi told reporters that with Iraq’s consent to transit goods via customs gateways, Iranian traders and businesses could transfer their cargo from Umm Qasr – one of Iraq’s main commercial ports – to Bushehr’s ports. He expressed hope that follow-up efforts by Iran’s foreign ministry would help realize the plan.
The announcement came as Gazderazi highlighted severe damage inflicted on Bushehr’s marine and shipping industries during the recent 40-day US-Israeli-imposed war. He urged the Iranian government to step in with effective support to restore vitality to the strategic sector.
“Bushehr province’s maritime industries, as one of the main pillars of the regional economy, have faced serious disruptions,” Gazderazi said, adding that the situation has caused considerable losses for shipbuilding, maritime trade, and shipping operators.
He called on executive bodies to change their approach during the current emergency and for the government to take urgent, operational decisions in support of industry players.
He also pressed the Iranian Chamber of Commerce to play a more active role in pursuing the private sector’s demands and pushing for greater coordination among ministries.