Turkmenistan proposes to construct joint economic zone with Iran
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan has expressed his country’s interest in developing ties with Iran and proposed to construct a joint economic zone with Iran.
Rashid Meredov made the remarks addressing the opening ceremony of the economic conference of Iranian and Turkmenistan businessmen in the Turkmen capital city of Ashgabat on Saturday, IRNA reported.
He said that developing trade exchanges, seeking new routes of cooperation, and employing the two countries’ capacities are the goals of the conference to provide vast investment opportunities.
Referring to the positive economic ties between Iran and Turkmenistan, he added that Turkmenistan has an active economy, natural gas, and oil reserves that provide many opportunities for Iranian investors.
Pointing to the role of border markets in the growth of trade, he noted that Bajgiran border markets are active in two countries and Turkmenistan proposes the creation of a joint economic zone in the Sarakhs and Incheh-Borun regions.
Iran’s companies enjoy modern technology, he said, asking Iranian companies to cooperate with Turkmenistan.
Meredov pointed to Iran-Turkmenistan’s electricity cooperation, and said that the construction of a power transmission line with 400 kWh is under negotiation with an Iranian company.
Meanwhile, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for economic diplomacy pointed to the capabilities of Iranian companies and expressed the Islamic Republic’s readiness to implement development projects in neighboring Turkmenistan.
Speaking in the inaugural ceremony of the Iran-Turkmenistan Economic Forum on the sidelines of the “Iran Project” Exhibition, Mehdi Safari said the two countries have high potential to increase bilateral trade.
Turkmenistan is Iran’s strategic partner in political and economic terms, he added.
Promoting relations with neighbors is one of the priorities of the current administration of Iran, he said.
Today, the volume of trade exchanges between the two countries has increased to about $500 million, Safari added.