TEHRAN - An Iranian
journalist and social media activist has said the country’s exports to Russia have surpassed $1 billion for the first time.
In a post on his Twitter account, Abdolrahim Ansari said that it has become possible for Iran and Russia to use their domestic rial and ruble currencies in bilateral trade instead of the U.S. dollar.
“A system has been created, in which an Iranian buyer in our country can purchase Russian-made goods in Iranian rial and a Russian buyer in Russia can buy Iranian goods in Russian ruble,” he added.
Iran and Russia, which are both under Western sanctions, have in recent years developed close ties in political, security, defense, economic and energy fields.
They are currently implementing joint projects in oil, gas, nuclear and railway sectors.
The two countries are also working to renew the long-term comprehensive cooperation agreement signed 20 years ago.

Technology-Based
Cooperation to Boost Iran, Russia Trade Ties

Chairman of Supreme Trade Council of Russia Rajab Safarov said that identifying capabilities and opportunities to expand technology-based communication is a prerequisite of bilateral cooperation.
Given the proximity of Iran’s policies to Russia and tough U.S. and European sanctions imposed against Russia and Iran, taking advantage of the opportunity of possible cooperation is one of the important measures that should be taken into consideration by the two countries, he emphasized.
Presenting and introducing a comprehensive report on the facilities and competency of Iranian companies in Russia and international exhibitions is a way for more communication between the two countries, Safarov continued.
In this regard, many Russian companies can carry out their projects using Iranian expert manpower in the field of information technology (IT), Chairman of Supreme Trade Council of Russia added.
The 22nd International Exhibition of Telecommunications, Information Technology & Innovative CIT Solution entitled IRAN TELECOM Innovations 2021 was held at Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds on Thursday, Dec. 23.
Iran’s Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said recently that Tehran and Moscow are on the way to draw from a wider array of “opportunities and potential.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially invited his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, to visit Moscow in early 2022.