Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
Iran may develop its trade with neighboring countries - but at present, 70 percent of Iran's trade turnover is not with neighboring countries, Iranian economist Farshid Bagherian told Trend.
According to Bagherian, this is a weak spot for Iran.
He added that one of the ways to increase Iran's trade with its neighbors is to strengthen maritime trade.
"Iran's trade with countries of the Persian Gulf is at a very low level, because the area of maritime trade demands a number of security measures to be taken," he said.
According to the Iranian economist, Iran looks at the Gulf through the prism of security, which hinders the development of maritime trade.
"At the same time, one of the ways to prevent threats in the Persian Gulf is to increase trade turnover with the Gulf states," he said.
Bagherian noted that Iran can increase trade with these countries by examining the needs of neighboring countries in trade and take appropriate steps.
"In order to increase exports to neighboring countries, Iran should establish production facilities in border areas, because it is easier to determine the needs and preferences of neighboring states in the border provinces," he said.
Meanwhile, Iran’s border provinces are currently used as grounds for smuggling of products, the economist added.