Tehran, Tashkent stress reinforcing trade, economic ties
Uzbek president to visit Iran
Iran and Uzbekistan emphasized the need for enhancing bilateral relations in trade and economic fields.
Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Iran, Bakhodir Barotovich Abdullaev, in a meeting with the caretaker of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI), Mehdi Zeyghami, termed Iran as the nearest access to the high seas and called for the removal of barriers for transit of goods via Iran, reported IRNA.
Abdullaev expressed hope that Iran and Uzbekistan would outline a roadmap for reaching the annual trade target of $1 billion between the two countries in the wake of the upcoming visit of the Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Iran.
Once transit barriers are removed ahead of trade exchanges between Iran and Uzbekistan, the annual bilateral trade would hit $4 billion, the envoy added.
Speaking at the meeting, Zeyghami stressed the need for developing bilateral trade ties following the conclusion of a preferential trade agreement (PTA) and removal of trade barriers facing merchants and businesspersons of the two countries.
The two sides also discussed a plan for holding the Iran-Uzbekistan Joint Economic Commission meeting in Tashkent.
While emphasizing the keenness of the two countries on the removal of trade barriers, Iranian and Uzbek officials stressed the need for finalizing PTA in line with easing trade.