BAKU, Azerbaijan, Apr. 18
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
Serbia and the Balkans are considered Iran's gateways to the European market, Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade of Iran, Head of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) Hamid Zadboum said, Trend reports citing the organization’s website.
He made the remark during a meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selaković.
According to Zadboum, at the same time, the markets of Iran and the countries around Iran have created a favorable opportunity for cooperation between the public and private sectors of the two countries.
The deputy minister added that as a result of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic last year, international trade, as well as Iran's trade, declined. Despite this, the value of Iran's trade turnover amounted to $73 billion last year. Of this, $34.5 billion was accounted for exports and $38.5 billion for imports.
"It is hoped that the goals set will be achieved by holding 16th meeting of the joint commission of the two countries in Tehran in 2021," he said.
Speaking in the meeting Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selaković also said that the existing economic and industrial potential between the two countries should be used to increase trade turnover between the two countries.
Reportedly, Iran's total foreign trade turnover amounted to about 146 million tons worth $73 billion in the last Iranian year (from March 20, 2020 through March 20, 2021). During this period, Iran exported 112 million tons of goods worth about $35 billion and imported 33.4 million tons worth $38.4 billion.