Iran, Russia Double Trade Volumes

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The volume of Iran-Russia trade and business transactions was equal to $2.294 billion in the first nine months of 2007, which is double the value of the same period in 2006

Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, Gholam-Reza Ansari made the comment in an interview with IRNA Wednesday night, the night before the opening of the Seventh Iran-Russia Joint Economic Cooperation Commission.

“The volume of Iran’s exports to Russia, too, during the said period increased from 144 million to 240 million US dollars’ equivalent,” Ambassador Ansari said.

He said that Iran’s exports to Russia included vehicles, car spare parts, food stuff particularly dried nuts and fruits, while Iran’s imports from Russia were mainly steel, ironware, and wood.

The envoy emphasized, “The volume of such transactions is not inclusive of the huge infrastructure ongoing cooperation between the two countries in various fields.”

Ansari said that the potential for improving bilateral trade and business is very high in both countries.

For instance there is currently an annual demand for 2 500 Iranian passenger cars, Samand, in Russia, but due to transportation restrictions, and production limits, we are currently exporting merely 1 000 to 1 200 Samand cars to Russia each year.”

He said that the existence of an active banking system, sea and land transportation, and insurance facilities, was effective means for boosting bilateral trade.

“If such conditions are improved the Russian market has the potential for importing a lot more Iranian goods, including construction materials, garments, shoes, dried nuts and fruits, and carpets.”

Iran’s Ambassador called for greater dynamism on the part of the private and state sectors for presentation of high quality Iranian goods at Russian markets, keeping in mind the low transportation cost due to being neighbors, and the enthusiasm of the Russians for using Iranian products.

Referring to both countries’ will for boosting ties, Ansari said issues to be discussed at the joint commission include cooperation proposals in oil and gas projects and the presence of Russians at discovery and transfer projects of Iran’s natural gas.

He said that cooperation in aerospace engineering and aircraft and helicopter manufacture are among the Iranian side’s proposals for increased joint work.