Chamber head pushes for direct trade with Riyadh, floats joint initiatives
Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture chief Samad Hassanzadeh called for establishing direct trade relations with Saudi Arabia, proposing reciprocal trade delegations and a dedicated Iranian exhibition in the kingdom.
According to ILNA on Friday, Hassanzadeh made the remarks during a meeting with Sheikh Saleh Kamel, president of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and head of the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce, on the sidelines of the 41st General Assembly of the Islamic Chamber in Mecca.
Hassanzadeh pointed to the current indirect trade between Iran and Saudi Arabia and urged replacing it with direct commercial exchanges.He highlighted Iran's capabilities in the food industry, noting that Iranian products are exported to various countries worldwide based on global standards.
"At present, Iran does not have direct trade with Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we request that the groundwork for direct exchanges between the two countries be facilitated," Hassanzadeh said.
Referring to past trade routes, he suggested enabling Iranian products to reach Saudi Arabia via Dammam Port, the nearest maritime route for bilateral commerce.
Hassanzadeh also proposed organizing a dedicated exhibition to showcase Iran's commercial capacities in Saudi Arabia, timed to coincide with the dispatch of a Saudi trade delegation to Iran. He invited Kamel to visit Iran to familiarize himself with available business opportunities and recommended that a Saudi trade delegation travel to Iran.
In response, Kamel welcomed the proposals put forward by the Iranian chamber chief, emphasizing that establishing direct trade between Iran and Saudi Arabia is an important matter that he would raise and follow up with senior officials in his country.
Hassanzadeh also welcomed the proposal for exchanging trade delegations and holding a dedicated Iranian exhibition in Saudi Arabia, describing it as an opportunity to facilitate bilateral negotiations between economic actors from both countries.
Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture chief Samad Hassanzadeh (R) meets Sheikh Saleh Kamel, president of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and head of the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce, in Mecca on February 19, 2026.