INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has emphasized private sector involvement in international and political trips, with a business
delegation set to accompany him on his January 16 visit to Tajikistan, the head of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and
activities, encouraging the private sector to seize this opportunity.This upcoming Tajikistan visit reflects the administration's broader
strategy of integrating private sector representatives into diplomatic and economic initiatives abroad.Also, during a meeting between Iran
Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Head Samad Hassanzadeh and Tajik Ambassador to Tehran Nizomiddin Zohidi, in
late November 2024, the two sides emphasized the need to expedite a preferential trade agreement (PTA) and completely eliminate visa
requirements to boost bilateral economic relations.In the meeting, both sides highlighted untapped trade potential and the importance of
closer collaboration between their business communities.Hassanzadeh noted that the current trade volume falls far short of the two
countries' capabilities, saying: "Iran has significant potential in knowledge-based areas, engineering services, food industries,
meet Tajikistan's needs.He also called for joint efforts to facilitate trade by exchanging trade delegations and organizing specialized
exhibitions, adding that full implementation of visa-free travel could pave the way for deeper partnerships, including the establishment of
joint industrial zones.Zohidi for his part echoed the sentiment, acknowledging progress in trade volume, which has reportedly increased
However, he urged efforts to boost bilateral trade to $1.0 billion, inviting Iranian business leaders to explore opportunities in
Tajikistan.Addressing visa challenges, the Tajik ambassador noted that the current exemption applies only to flights between Tehran and
Dushanbe and does not include flights operating between Mashhad and Dushanbe
"We plan to launch a new route between Shiraz and Dushanbe, and fully removing visa requirements will enhance tourism and trade."Also
speaking during the meeting, Mohammad Hossein Roshanak, head of the Iran-Tajikistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, criticized high tariffs on
Iranian goods in Tajikistan compared to Uzbek imports, calling for fair trade practices to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness.As
first half of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-September 21), as compared to the same period of time in the past yea.Making the
Bojnourd, the center of the province, Kazem Shirdel said that the trend of the export of Iranian products to Tajikistan has been rising in
recent years.Stating that the people of Tajikistan are interested in using Iranian products, he added: "Fortunately, the Iranian goods
exported to this country are of very high quality, and this makes the people of Tajikistan welcome Iranian goods."In late September 2024,
senior energy officials of Iran and Tajikistan stressed their willingness to expand energy ties between the two countries.Iranian Oil
Minister Mohsen Paknejad discussed ways of expanding mutual cooperation with Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan Daler Juma
in a meeting in Tehran at that time.Speaking at the meeting, Paknejad said capable Iranian companies are ready to enter Tajikistan and
commonalities of the two countries of Iran and Tajikistan, the oil minister said that expanding economic relations with the friendly and
brotherly country of Tajikistan, especially in the energy sector, is of significant importance.Paknejad continued that some effective steps
2023, the ceiling of trade exchanges between Iran and Tajikistan reached 300 million dollars, and based on forecasts, it seems that this
Tajikistan's Ministry of Energy and Water Resources.Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe hosted the 16th meeting of Iran-Tajikistan Joint
Economic Committee in late December 2023.Former Iranian Energy Minister Ali-Akbar Mehrabian and Tajikistan Energy and Water Resources
Iran" was also held on the sidelines of this meeting.The exhibition, aimed at introducing the capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran
in basic industries, with the presence of 30 top Iranian companies, was held in Dushanbe, during December 26-29, 2023.Iran and Tajikistan on
November 8, 2023 signed a joint statement and 18 cooperation documents and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to deepen bilateral strategic
relations.The joint statement was signed between late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon in
Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe.The documents and MOUs were inked by the Iranian and Tajik ministers in the presence of the two
presidents.As reported, the documents and MOUs pertained to a roadmap for long-term bilateral trade and economic cooperation till 2030,
mutual visa-free access, anti-drug trafficking operations, transportation, crisis management, and the establishment of joint free economic
zones, as well as inter-city cooperation in various fields.During a meeting earlier in the day, Raisi said Iran and Tajikistan could
increase their annual trade transactions to $500 million in the first step.Raisi stressed that historical, religious, and cultural
commonalities shared by the two countries provide a favorable ground for enhancing bilateral relations in all aspects.The Tajik president,
for his part, highlighted the necessity to develop bilateral ties, particularly in mining, health, science and technology, and agriculture
