Iran, Uzbekistan Reach Agreement on Developing Transportation Corridor

Uzbekistan’s Transport Minister Ilkhom Mahkamov met with the Iran’s Roads and Urban Development Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash on June 18.

At the meeting, the parties discussed the strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of transport, the development and diversification of transport corridors and the effective use of related potentials.

The parties reached an agreement on the development of the multimodal "Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran" transport corridor, the reduction on a parity basis of fees levied by Iran from Uzbek national carriers in the process of transporting goods by road and equalizing tax collections on fuel with taxes from other countries.

In order to further develop trade relations and increase the volume of cargo transportation, the parties came to an agreement on the creation of an Iranian-Uzbek logistics center, as well as the construction of terminals and warehouses with the participation of Uzbek entrepreneurs in the ports of Chabahar and Bandar Abbas, located in Iran.

Considering Iran's extensive experience in the field of road construction, it is planned to create a joint venture, develop cooperation in the field of rail transport and hold meetings between the responsible departments, the government portal of the Republic of Uzbekistan reported.

The ministerial meeting came on the sidelines of the visit of Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev who met with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi on June 18.

Prospects for the development of cooperation and resolution of current issues on the regional agenda were discussed between the two sides. It was noted that the parties attach great importance to further enhancing economic and investment cooperation.

The two presidents discussed opportunities to increase the volume of mutual trade and coordination of cooperation in transport and logistics.

The main attention was paid to using the shortest transport-logistics corridors connecting Central Asia with Iran.

Measures to implement joint investment projects in energy, chemical industry, pharmaceuticals and medical technologies, food industry, textiles, industrial building materials, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering were discussed.

The directions of interaction on the construction of greenhouses, production of agricultural equipment, introduction of water-saving technologies, exchange of experience in horticulture and fish farming, and the selection of drought-resistant crops have been identified.

The parties also expressed their commitment to the development of cultural and scientific-innovative exchanges. It was noted that their governments would contribute to building up business and scientific contacts.

Commitment to Fight Global Challenges

The importance of uniting bilateral efforts in the fight against such global challenges and threats as international terrorism, drug trafficking, cyberterrorism and human trafficking was emphasized.

The heads of state agreed to continue dialogue on strengthening peace and stability in Afghanistan and promoting the socioeconomic recovery of the neighboring country.

The importance of multilateral interaction within the framework of various international and regional organizations was also emphasized.

Iran's new Minister of Industries, Mining and Trade Abbas Aliabadi and his Uzbek counterpart Laziz Kudratov discussed a plan to increase annual bilateral trade to $1 billion, IRNA reported.

During a meeting in Tehran on Saturday, Aliabadi and Kudratov discussed boosting trade exchanges as well as signing various agreements to develop bilateral ties.

After the meeting, Aliabadi said an appropriate infrastructure should be created for businesses of Iran and Uzbekistan, including better customs processes, to enable them to increase exchanges between the two countries.

The Uzbek minister said the 15th meeting of Iran-Uzbekistan intergovernmental commission held in Uzbekistan has led to agreements, adding that the two countries have agreed to prepare a roadmap to reach $1 billion in bilateral trade.

Kudratov noted that a mechanism is being designed so that Iran and Uzbekistan could significantly increase the volume of their trade within next one or two years.

The 15th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Iran was held in Tashkent on May 31.

The event, co–chaired by Kudratov and Niazi, was also attended by the heads of key ministries and departments of the two countries.

Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture hosted Iran-Uzbekistan Business Conference on June 17 in cooperation with the Iran-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce.

Representatives from 50 Uzbek companies were present at the conference.