Azerbaijan, Baku, April 6 / Trend, T. Jafarov /
Iran exported 27,620 tons of goods (through the shuttle trade) to Azerbaijan through the Astara border checkpoint early this year, according to the Iranian calendar (the year in Iran begins on March 21). The total exports have reached $35.7 million, according to Iranian MEHR news agency, which quotes Mohammad Behbud Ahani, head of the Gilan Province Customs Control Department.
Ahani said the export of goods in value terms has increased by 40 percent, while the quantity has increased by 75 percent, compared to the same period of last year.
He said that during this period 450,697 people arrived in Iran through Gilan's border checkpoint and 444,927 people departed from the country. These figures increased by 71 and 70 percent, respectively, compared to the same period of last year.
Ahani said that mainly food products, cleaning products, clothes, canned goods, plastic products, fruits and vegetables, various drinks, flowers and plants are exported to Azerbaijan through shuttle trade.
Iran has unilaterally abolished the visa regime for Azerbaijani citizens. Thus, as of Feb. 1, 2010, a visa is no longer required for Azerbaijan citizens departing for travel to Iran.