Tehran, Iran, Sept.6
Trend:
Iranian exporters have demanded for a two-week suspension of Iraq's new trade regulations for discharging goods at the Chazabeh border, said the head of Ahvaz Chamber of Commerce.
"Implementation of new trade regulations by Iraq at the Chazabeh border has caused disruption in Iran's exports," said Mohammad Abiavi, Trend reports citing IRNA.
"Iraq has announced that each truck may carry a load from 36 to 50 tons, and if the volume is more, the limit entrance of goods will be denied," he explained.
"Iraqi businessmen used to purchase Iran's goods for up to 80 tons, to pay less customs fees," he said.
"Currently more than 800 trucks are stocked at Chazabeh border," he said.
"The Iraqi government charges 20,000 dinars for each truck that uses the truck scale on the Al-Ammarah and Basrah route," he noted.
"If Iraq approves the request of Iranian businessmen, a considerable part of trucks traffic in Chazabeh border will be reduced," he added. "Our effort is to resolve the problem with available capacity, but unfortunately heavy export traffic at the border has caused various damages," he said.
"We try to solve the problem through Iraqi consulate in Ahvaz but it is necessary that officials asked for help of foreign ministry and ministry of industry, mine and trade," he added.
Due to Iraqi truck drivers going on strike, trucks with dairy products and fruits either returned back half-full, or stayed at the border. The strike has hampered transport of Iran's goods from the Chazabeh border point.
Khuzestan province of Iran has high capacity for exports and trade due to its two international borders in Chazabeh and Shalamche alongside Khorramshar , Abadan and Imam ports.