TEHRAN – Head of Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO) Alireza Peymanpak has said ahead of first vice-president’s trip to Russia to attend the Caspian Economic Forum that this would unlock a 600 to 700 billion dollars market to Iran if a free trade agreement is reached.
Peymanpak said that Iran’s trade with the Caspian Sea littoral states has seen significant growth this year and Iran’s exports have changed from agricultural produce to industrial goods.
Market expansion and trade growth require expanding infrastructure, Peymanpak noted, saying that the TPO has focused on the development of transportation fleet in the Caspian Sea and was negotiating with the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line Group (IRISL Group) and some other private companies to encourage investment in the Caspian Sea transportation.
He also said that the dredging of Astara Port has been resumed after nine years and would be completed by the next two months, paving the way for expanding exports to Azerbaijan Republic, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
Peymanpak also highlighted Iran’s efforts to start Rasht-Caspian Sea railway to widen Iran’s connection to the international north-south corridor.
He said that Iran, Azerbaijan Republic, and Russia sighed a trilateral customs agreement to facilitate the movement of goods and solve the problems experienced in recent years during high-volume trade periods.
Peymanpak noted that the TPO has been holding intensive talks with EAEU countries, including Kazakhstan and Russia as the Caspian Sea littoral states, on tariffs and an agreement is expected until November.
He said that First Vice-President Muhammad Mokhber was expected to negotiate cooperation in industry, energy, and power generation and investment in these areas, including in oil extraction, power grid connection and infrastructure.
Energy swap with Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Russia will also be included in Mokhber’s negotiations, according to Peymanpak who also added that collaborations in aerial industry and home appliances will also be in focus.