Official: West Azarbaijan Province Linking Iran to European Market
TEHRAN (Dispatches) - Iranian Consul General in Erzurum Sajjad Soltanzadeh has described West Azarbaijan province as the country’s gateway to the European market as it is the only Iranian province bordering with Eastern Turkish provinces.
Soltanzadeh made the remarks in a joint meeting held with the presence of the Iranian Consul General in Erzurum, the head of the Iranian and Turkish parliamentary friendship group, and the governor of Khoy County.
Soltanzadeh referred to the common border of West Azarbaijan with some Eastern Turkish provinces including Van and Erzurum, adding, "It is a golden chance for West Azarbaijan province to increase relations with these Turkish provinces.”
He said that the Eastern provinces of Turkey enjoy unique potentials, and noted, "As Iran is the gateway of Turkey to Asian countries, West Azerbaijan province can seize the opportunity to help both states in achieving common trade goals.”
In early October a local official said that West Azarbaijan province exported 571,817 tons of goods worth $998 million during the first half of the current year (March 20-September 21).
According to the Supervisor of West Azarbaijan Customs, Tohid Azarbod, the figures show an 18% and 11% decrease in terms of tonnage and value respectively, compared with the corresponding period last year.
The main exports included plastics and agricultural products such as watermelon, apple, and fruit concentrate, he added.
Azarbod further said that a total of 151,868 tons of goods worth $246 million were imported into the country via the province, setting a reduction of 47% and 36% in terms of weight and value respectively.
Soltanzadeh made the remarks in a joint meeting held with the presence of the Iranian Consul General in Erzurum, the head of the Iranian and Turkish parliamentary friendship group, and the governor of Khoy County.
Soltanzadeh referred to the common border of West Azarbaijan with some Eastern Turkish provinces including Van and Erzurum, adding, "It is a golden chance for West Azarbaijan province to increase relations with these Turkish provinces.”
He said that the Eastern provinces of Turkey enjoy unique potentials, and noted, "As Iran is the gateway of Turkey to Asian countries, West Azerbaijan province can seize the opportunity to help both states in achieving common trade goals.”
In early October a local official said that West Azarbaijan province exported 571,817 tons of goods worth $998 million during the first half of the current year (March 20-September 21).
According to the Supervisor of West Azarbaijan Customs, Tohid Azarbod, the figures show an 18% and 11% decrease in terms of tonnage and value respectively, compared with the corresponding period last year.
The main exports included plastics and agricultural products such as watermelon, apple, and fruit concentrate, he added.
Azarbod further said that a total of 151,868 tons of goods worth $246 million were imported into the country via the province, setting a reduction of 47% and 36% in terms of weight and value respectively.