TEHRAN, Iran, Nov.18
Trend:
The speedy construction of the Rasht-Astara railway would connect Iran's economy to east and west and completing the railway project is very vital for the country's economy said the Iranian Ambassador in Russia.
"It is necessary that Rasht – Astara railway would be completed and the link would lead to sudden economic growth between Iran and Russia," said Kazem Jalali, Trend reports citing IRNA.
"The completion of the railway would massively improve Iran's economic relations with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union. The importance of this railway line is clear for Russians and they seriously want the connection to this line," he added.
"The railway would change the country's economy and could transit goods with suitable prices from eastern countries to Europe that would have much interest for Iran. Iran could connect to China–Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Arctic Corridor to Finland and Iran could fill the void by Rasht Astara railway" he noted.
According to Jalali, the first priority is to complete Rasht-Astara railway and other priorities are completion of Chabahar-Zahedan and Zahedan- Birjand railways.
Furthermore, following Iran's temporary membership to a free trade agreement in the Eurasian Economic Union, it has been agreed that 862 items could be traded. Iran has exported $2.7 billion goods to EEU member states from last Iranian year (started March 21, 2019) until August 2020.
Iran is developing a Qazvin-Rasht-Anzali-Astara railroad project that will link Rasht to Caspian port. Once the project is complete, the Caspian port will become the largest hub in northern Iran and make a major contribution to national and local economic development.
The route will connect Iran with Russia’s Baltic ports and give Russia rail connectivity to both the Persian Gulf and the Indian rail network. All the mentioned projects are meant to contribute to achieving the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC)’s envisaged plans.