BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27
By Elnur Baghishov - Trend
Products' exports via Razi railway customs of Khoy county at West Azerbaijan province in northwestern Iran increased by 20 times in terms of value in the first month of the current Iranian year (from March 20 through April 19, 2020) compared to the same month last Iranian year, said Director of Razi Railway Customs Office Seyfollah Rasi, Trend reports citing IRNA.
According to Rasi, 18,000 tons of products worth $41 million were exported via this railway customs. The exported products were transported by 813 wagons.
Rasi added that 2,500 tons of products worth more than $2 million were exported via the customs in the same month last year.
The official said that in order to continue trade between Iran and Turkey at the railway customs, all health protocols are observed and disinfection is carried out.
"With increasing its activity since the spread of the coronavirus in Iran, the customs have played the most important role in the trade between Iran and Turkey," he said.
Rasi noted that the exported products were mainly polyethylene, urea, watermelon and zinc ingots.
According to the official, 30,000 tons of products worth $40 million were transited via the Razi railway customs in last month. These products were transported by 1,400 wagons. Transit increased by 2.5 times in term of weight compared to the same month last Iranian year.
Razi railway customs is one of the border customs between Iran and Turkey. It is the only customs operating between the two countries since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Iran is one of the countries heavily affected by the rapidly-spreading coronavirus. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 90,400 people have been infected, 5,710 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 69,600 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.
The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.