Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 30
By Orkhan Guluzade - Trend:
Using national currencies for mutual payments in the bilateral trade is in the interests of Turkey and Iran, the Turkish Economy Minister Mustafa Elitas said in an exclusive interview with Trend.
This is necessary for avoiding the dependence on the foreign exchange rate fluctuations, according to the minister.
"Iran and Turkey agreed in April to develop the mutual payments using national currencies," added Elitas.
He noted that Turkish companies prefer to use the Turkish lira in trade with Iran.
The minister also said that during the talks with his Iranian counterpart, he repeatedly emphasized the importance of using the national currencies in mutual payments between the two countries.
"We see that the Iranian side also wants to use the national currencies in the bilateral trade," added Elitas.
Turkey has been trying to develop its economic relations with Iran after the removal of international sanctions from the Islamic Republic on Jan. 16, 2016, according to the minister.
"Iranian and Turkish presidents have repeatedly said that Ankara and Tehran intend to increase the trade turnover to $30 billion," said Elitas.
He noted that one of the important factors for achieving this goal is the development of the preferential trade between the two countries, adding that Ankara and Tehran make every effort in this regard.
"The relevant structures of Iran and Turkey are holding talks in order to expand the list of goods in the preferential trade," added the minister.
The trade turnover between Turkey and Iran stood at $9.76 billion in 2015, as compared to $13.719 billion in 2014, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK).
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