Minister reports 58% trade growth with Uzbekistan amid customs barriers
Iran’s industry, mining and trade minister said Tehran is aiming to secure new tariff arrangements and ease customs barriers with Uzbekistan, as bilateral trade between the two countries has grown sharply since the start of the calendar year (March 21).
Speaking at a meeting with Iranian traders and businesspeople based in Uzbekistan late on Sunday, Mohammad Atabak said, "This year we witnessed a 58% growth in the volume of trade between Iran and Uzbekistan." He described Uzbekistan as "a link connecting Central Asia," IRNA reported.
Atabak traveled to Tashkent to meet senior Uzbek officials, including the prime minister and economy and industry ministers, with the aim of negotiating new tariff agreements, removing customs obstacles and facilitating commercial exchanges.
He told the traders that recent efforts by Iran’s Embassy in Tashkent, the Ministry of Industry, Mining and Trade, and other trade-related institutions have contributed to the rise in commercial activity between the two countries. However, he said further work is needed to accelerate progress.
Although the recent efforts have increased trade and commercial exchanges, Atabak said, they are "not enough" and Iran must move quickly to resolve key challenges, particularly in rail and road transport, customs procedures and the signing of a preferential trade agreement. Addressing these issues, he said, would enable "a significant leap" in bilateral relations.