Iran’s northern Mazandaran province opened a trade center in Uzbekistan’s capital city Tashkent.The inauguration ceremony of the center, which is located in Food City area in Tashkent, was participated by the Iranian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Mohammad-Ali Eskandari, as well as Abdollah Mohajeri, a board member of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), and Ali Taqipour, the head of the Chamber of Commerce of Sari city, the center of Mazandaran.Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Iranian ambassador to Tashkent stated: "The Mazandaran province trade center in Tashkent will help further develop economic and trade relations between Iran and Uzbekistan. The merchants of this province can offer good and quality Iranian goods to the Uzbek market at a cheaper price."Abdollah Mohajer, for his part, said: "Uzbekistan is an important country for Iran. The opening of this trade center in Tashkent will be beneficial for both countries."Back in early February, the head of the Iran-Uzbekistan Joint Chamber of Commerce had announced the establishment of a permanent sales office for Iranian food industry products in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, while citing FATF-related restrictions as the biggest obstacle to trade between the two countries.According to the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA), Mousa Aghaei said that the sales office was launched in cooperation with the Mazandaran Chamber of Commerce and the Iran-Uzbekistan Joint Chamber.He noted that the initiative would significantly enhance bilateral cooperation.Aghaei stated that the current $500 million trade volume between Iran and Uzbekistan is unsatisfactory.He emphasized that while Uzbek citizens and government officials are eager to collaborate with Iranian businesses, challenges such as FATF-related restrictions, transportation issues, and high tariffs have hindered trade expansion.During an Iran-Uzbekistan Business Forum, held concurrently with the Iran-Uzbekistan Joint Economic Committee meeting at Tehran’s Sa’dabad Palace, in mid-May, the head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Samad Hassanzadeh, stressed the need to raise bilateral trade to $1.0 billion and called on Uzbekistan to waive visa requirements for Iranian nationals to facilitate travel and business.Hassanzadeh described the event as a meaningful step toward strengthening ties, noting that the past year witnessed close and serious cooperation between public and private sectors of both countries.He highlighted the cultural affinity and historical friendship between the two nations and called for swift implementation of a visa waiver, improved flight connectivity, and reduced airfare.Referring to Iran's advancements despite sanctions—especially in machinery production, food processing, and construction materials—Hassanzadeh said these achievements present unique opportunities for Uzbekistan.He emphasized the strategic importance of Iran's geographical location through its North-South and East-West transit corridors and invited Uzbek investors to participate in the International North–South Transit Corridor (INSTC) and Makran coastal development projects.Hassanzadeh also called for expanded cooperation in transport infrastructure and logistics, suggesting the formation of a joint committee to pursue these goals. He highlighted Iran’s readiness to export technical and engineering services and collaborate on Uzbekistan’s major infrastructure projects.He further noted that significant progress had been made in talks over a preferential trade agreement between the two countries, expressing hope that the accord would soon be implemented to remove discriminatory tariffs and boost trade.Finally, Hassanzadeh stressed the importance of removing financial barriers and banking restrictions through stronger collaboration between the private sectors. He encouraged joint investment in industrial ventures and the organization of regular trade missions, exhibitions, and seminars to help realize the full potential of bilateral ties.Senior officials from Iran and Uzbekistan convened in Tehran for the 16th session of the two countries’ Joint Economic Committee, aiming to expand bilateral ties and boost trade to $2 billion annually.Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade Mohammad Atabak opened the meeting by acknowledging that the current trade volume between the two countries falls short of their true potential. (ICE TEHERAN)

Fonte notizia: Tehran Times