Trend, Iran, July 26
Trend:
Tajikistan, within cooperation with Iran and with Iranian investments, became able not only to meet the country's own needs in electricity, but also turn into energy exporter, Tajikistan Ambassador to Iran Nizomoddin Zahedi said, Trend reports.
At a meeting with Chairman of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture Gholam Hossein Shafeie, Zahedi spoke about cultural and social similarities between Iran and Tajikistan and requested to address some issues, which led to decreased in the trade relations between the two countries.
In his estimates, last year's trade turnover between Iran and Tajikistan stood at around $65 million, which shows a dramatical drop over the past five years. “Previously, the value of trade between the two countries amounted to about $500 million, which, unfortunately, declined significantly,” the ambassador said.
Tajik ambassador expressed willingness to develop relations with Iran in the field of industry. Touching upon the country's progress in production of electricity, he said: "Tajikistan, within cooperation with Iran and with Iranian investments, became able not only to meet the country's own needs in electricity, but also to turn into energy exporter."
“We are now seeking to further develop the country's industrial capacity. In order to achieve this goal, Tajikistan calls for the development of relations with Iran,” he added.
In turn, Shafeie said that Iran is ready to overcome problems in the implementation of agreements between Iran and Tajikistan. He added that the Iranian chamber of commerce is ready to arrange meetings with representatives of Tajikistan.
He also noted the need to renew organizing exhibitions held by Iran in Tajikistan to introduce the country's capacities. "Indeed, there are some issues in the commodities exchange between Iran and Tajikistan, which, of course, are negotiable," Shafeie said.