Exports to Americas grow 4.5-fold amid expanding trade with Europe: TPO
Iran’s exports to the Americas in the past Iranian calendar year – 1403 – (began on March 20, 2024) increased 4.5-fold compared to the previous year – 1402 – (began on March 20, 2023), according to the head of Europe and America Office at Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO).
“Iran’s exports to the Americas in 1403 grew 4.5-fold compared to 1402, and only one step remains to implement a free trade agreement between Iran and Venezuela after 20 years,” IRNA quoted Ahmad Firoozi as saying.
On Sunday, Director-General of the TPO’s Europe and America Office announced the growth in Iran’s exports to the Americas, saying, “Iran’s imports from the Americas in 1403 saw a slight decrease compared to 1402. However, exports to this region experienced a 4.5-fold rise in the same period. For example, Iran’s official exports to Brazil in 1403 grew 8.5-fold compared to 1402.”
Addressing Iran-Europe trade in 1403, he said, “Trade between Iran and Europe witnessed a minor decline this year, occurring under circumstances where Iran faces restrictions in accessing European markets. It should be noted, however, that this assessment is based on official statistics. Unofficial data indicates that Iranian traders maintain their presence in European markets by collaborating with third countries, utilizing alternative routes to supply Iranian goods to Europe.”
Firoozi highlighted the increase in Iran’s trade centers in Europe, “In 1403, the [Trade Promotion] organization issued permits to establish trade centers in Serbia, Oman, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. These centers will significantly contribute to expanding Iran’s private sector trade with Europe. Additionally, Iran’s second commercial attaché in Europe was stationed in Hungary during 1403.”
He also emphasized efforts to access new markets, “Specialized meetings were held in 1403 to facilitate Iranian traders’ access to new markets, with Canada and Mexico among the targeted countries in the Americas. Concurrently, the Trade Development Organization has intensified efforts to finalize trade agreements in line with the government policies. In this regard, substantial progress has been made toward establishing free trade with Venezuela. Only one step remains to implement the Iran-Venezuela free trade agreement in 1404 (began on March 20, 2025), after two decades of preparations.”
Regarding other trade agreements, Firoozi added, “Negotiations to conclude a free trade agreement with Serbia commenced in 1403. Preferential trade agreements with Cuba and Bosnia and Herzegovina were also revised during this period. Furthermore, efforts to finalize a barter trade agreement with Cuba are currently underway.”
Firoozi expressed hope that this year, despite the increasing speed of developments in global trade and the challenges posed by tariffs, we will see the fruits of the foundational achievements made in recent years, including the implementation of free trade, preferential, and barter agreements, and benefit from the results of efforts made to access new markets.