Tehran, Iran, Nov.28
Trend:
Prior to the Qatar blockade, the volume of Iran - Qatar transactions were worth $70 million, currently it worth $260 million, The head of Iran Qatar Chamber of Commerce Adnan Mousa Pour told Trend in an interview.
"Some of Iran's neighbors in Persian Gulf region have social and historical relations with the country, Qatar is one of them. Qataris had always traveled to Iran's southern cities. But unfortunately we did not fully explored the potential, maybe it was not part of our economic plans," he said referring to economic ties between the two countries.
"Iran has always focused on trade with the UAE, while Qatar was in the background. But Saudi ARabia and the Emirates imposed a blockade against Qatar, and this made Iran change its economic policy and review its relations with other countries. Qatar looks to follow two economic development plans in 2022 and 2030, where its priority is to improve ties with some of its neighbors," said Mousa Pour said.
"Trade volume between Iran and Qatar before the blockade was little, but after this event it approximately grew from 200 to 300 percent. Last year Iran's exports to Qatar were worth $260 million. Most of Iran exports included agricultural items and construction material. Unfortunately our technical and management approach was weak," he noted.
"Iran's exports to Qatar faces the same problems - banking transactions and lack of support from the private sector. Instead of exporting goods we should look for joint investment and improve the bilateral partnership," he said.