Ambassador announces $7b increase in Iran-Turkey trade
Iran’s Ambassador to Turkey Mohammad-Hossein Habibollahzadeh, highlighted the growth in bilateral trade between Tehran and Ankara, stating that trade between the two countries reached $11.8 billion in the last Iranian calender year and has surpassed $17.5 billion as of the eleventh Iranian month (ended Feb. 18).
The envoy projected that the figure could rise to $19 billion by the end of the year (March 20).
Speaking at a virtual meeting of the Iran-Turkey Joint Transportation Committee, Habibollahzadeh emphasized the importance of developing transit infrastructure, noting that transit and transportation volumes between the two countries have increased by $7 billion this year.
However, he stressed the need for significant infrastructure improvements in rail, air, maritime, and port sectors.
Expansion of border crossings, increased flights
Habibollahzadeh cited statistics showing that 6 million passengers and approximately 330,000 trucks traveled between Iran and Turkey last Iranan year, reflecting the high volume of bilateral trade and the extensive transportation responsibilities of both countries.
To accommodate this growth, the number of border crossings will increase from three to five. Additionally, plans are underway to expand rail lines and increase flights.
The ambassador expressed satisfaction with the swift organization of the meeting following a recent gathering of the two countries’ transportation ministers, which voiced their commitment to enhancing transportation and logistics cooperation.
He expressed hope for significant decisions to be made regarding the development of relations between Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
Habibollahzadeh highlighted the role of Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadeq-Malvajerd as the head of the Iran-Turkey Economic Commission, calling it a significant advantage. He emphasized that such cooperation could greatly impact the economic relations between the two countries.
Transit as key focus of Iran-Turkey cooperation
In the meeting with, Saeid Rasouli, deputy minister of roads and urban development, emphasized the strategic positions of Iran and Turkey in the southern Caspian Sea corridor, which connects China to Europe.
He stressed the importance of transit in bilateral cooperation, noting that it will be a central topic in future ministerial discussions.
Durmush Unvar, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey, expressed his country’s readiness to develop transportation and transit cooperation.
He underscored the need for modern infrastructure and necessary investments, particularly in the rail connection project between the two countries at the Cheshmeh Soraya-Dilucu border and the development of transit between Iran and Turkey.
Key discussion points
The meeting focused on maximizing transportation development in road, rail, port, and air sectors, as well as enhancing transit and addressing obstacles in bilateral transportation cooperation.
Topics included facilitating procedures, addressing restrictions, fees, and taxes for Iranian and Turkish fleets in both countries, resolving limitations on taking in Iranian fleets at shared borders, and fuel pricing for Turkish fleets in Iran.
The two sides also discussed the launch of the Tehran-Van passenger train, the possibility of extending the route to Ankara and Istanbul, improving rail freight operations, increasing rail transport volume, and addressing the issue of empty wagons.
Other items on the agenda included the progress of the Iran-Turkey rail connection at Cheshmeh Soraya-Dilucu, the reconstruction of the Bazargan-Gürbulak border terminal, roads leading to Turkish borders, and the establishment of a new border crossing at Kuzerash.
The development of aviation relations and increased flights, as well as port and maritime cooperation and port investments, were also discussed.
It was agreed that an in-person meeting of the Iran-Turkey Transportation Committee will be held after the holy fasting month of Ramadan in either Tehran or Ankara.
Emphasis on joint investment in free zones
In a separate meeting, Reza Masrour, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council of Free Trade-Industrial and Special Economic Zones, met with Turkey’s Minister of Trade, Mustafa Tuzcu, to discuss strengthening economic relations through free zones.
Masrour, who was invited to Turkey by the Turkish Ministry of Trade, emphasized the implementation of a memorandum of understanding signed during the 8th meeting of the Turkey-Iran High Council of Cooperation and the creation of joint mechanisms within free and special economic zones.
Delegations from both countries evaluated potential cooperation in free and special economic zones and discussed joint projects and mechanisms to increase trade and investment.
The Turkish Ministry of Trade issued a statement reaffirming the commitment of Iran and Turkey to develop economic relations through trade and investment.