TEHRAN, Iran, March 12
Trend:
Iran-China trade continues despite the coronavirus spread, the head of Iran and China Chamber of Commerce Majid Reza Hariri told Trend.
"We can't say there aren't any obstacles. It is natural that the coronavirus created problems in trade," he said.
"Although major part of Iran's trade with China is still ongoing that includes basic and raw materials, but the price of raw materials and demand for them has reduced," he added.
"In terms of imports, Iran did not have major imports from China during past one and half year since there was import ban for 1,500 items," he said.
" Some of the items including spare parts and intermediary goods are still being imported, although due to recession in domestic market there have been interruptions," he added.
"Any imported cargos from China arrives via sea," he said.
"Coronavirus didn't create any new problems for shipping, the ones existing go back before the disease spread," Hariri said.
He said that the fall of demands from China and its effect on prices of Iranian goods should be evaluated.
"Iran does not import any consumer goods from China since the import ban in August of 2018," he added.
Iran is one of the countries heavily affected by the rapidly-spreading coronavirus. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 9,000 people have been infected, 354 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 2,900 have reportedly recovered from the disease.
The country continues to apply strict measures to contain the further spread. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease.
Following the reports of coronavirus spread in the Islamic Republic, several countries have taken measures, including closing borders and banning flights.
The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.