TEHRAN, Iran, Jan. 21
Trend:
Iran and Qatar should focus more on economic ties and maintain balance between trade and political relations, chairman of the Iran-Qatar Chamber of Commerce Adnan Mousapour told Trend.
Mousapour explained that Iran's relations with Qatar haven't expanded economically as much as political ties.
"The reason for lack of balance in economic and political ties is that sanctions and export problems have been effective in this regard," he said.
"Practically, there are no banking relations with Qatar, transportation network is old, only old ships and sailing vessels, there's no specific infrastructure," Mousapour said.
The official also pointed out that many Iranian companies should be present in Qatar, but they can't afford it due to high costs.
"Iran doesn't provide advances to active trade companies in Qatar, while Qatar itself only provides advances to its own companies for foreign trade," Mousapour explained.
"Currently Iran's trade and political interactions with Qatar is positive but in many cases we have fall backs," he admitted.
The official said that Iran and Qatar plan to hold economic meetings both in Tehran and Doha in the upcoming two-three months.
"The chamber is ready to host the meetings on Tehran's part," Mousapour said.