TPO: Exports to Turkey jump 59%, shipments to Oman rise 23%
Iran's exports to Turkey rose 59% and shipments to Oman increased 23% in the first half of the current Iranian calendar year, which began on March 21, despite regional tensions and disruptions to trade routes, an Iranian trade official said.
Abdolamir Rabihavi, director general for West Asia and Africa at the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, said trade with some countries in the region had continued to grow, with export figures showing gains in both markets.
The United States imposed the naval blockade after the 40-day war that began in late February, as part of efforts to pressure Tehran into accepting Washington's terms for an agreement. The restrictions have targeted Iran's oil exports and maritime trade.
Regional developments had affected Iran's trade with some Persian Gulf countries, but Oman had been less affected despite its location in the Persian Gulf, Rabihavi said, according to IRNA.
Iranian exports to Oman increased to $1.164 billion in the six months from March 21, from $948 million in the same period a year earlier, a rise of 23%, he said.
Exports to Turkey climbed to $4.373 billion from $2.756 billion over the same period, an increase of 59%, Rabihavi added.
He said some problems along the country's southern maritime routes had persisted in recent months, while some restrictions on land routes had eased, allowing greater use of the country's land border crossings.
Rabihavi expressed hope that the positive export trend would continue in the second half of the Iranian year, leading to further growth in trade with countries across the region.