Three-Year Roadmap Devised for Resolving Financial Exchange of Iran & Russia

During the meeting of a visiting Russian trade delegation with the members of Iran-Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce, it was emphasized to resolve the problem for financial exchange between the two countries and visa issuance for Iranian traders. On Wednesday, a trade delegation from Saratov Oblast Province of Russia in Tehran met the members of Iran-Russia Joint Chamber as it was the first in-person meeting after the COVID pandemic which was being held where representatives of seven Russian companies in a delegation, led by the head of center for supports of Saratov Province Mr. Sergey Mironov, were present.

The field of the seven Russian companies were agro products and export of grain, fire safety systems, providing sport equipment for outdoor sports, logistical service either marine, rail or container transportation and it is supposed that during the delegation’s three days presence in Iran they sign some bilateral agreements with Iranian counterparts for imports and exports.
In the meeting, Head of Iran-Russia Joint Chamber Hadi Tizhoush Taban pointed to the historic trade relations between the two countries, adding that unfortunately due to some problems, the trade level between Iran and Russia is not in a satisfactory level while there are several grounds for cooperation. He expressed hope with the efforts are made by the governments of Iran and Russia as well as the private sectors of the two sides, the amount of imports and exports between the two countries would be increased.

He also pointed to the problem regarding issuance of visas for Iranian traders by the Russian government and said it is expected Russian government to have serious determination for resolving the problem for boosting bilateral cooperation. Tizhoush Taban went on to say in the meeting both sides are to exchange some information about the economic capacities of the both sides for the business activists.

Meanwhile Russia’s trade representative in Tehran Mr. Rustam Zhiganshin said the meeting had been a good opportunity for gathering since the COVID pandemic and expressed hope both sides would use it for boosting their capabilities. He also announced the formation of the Iran-Russia Trade Club and said he hopes the club would be inaugurated during the meeting of Saratov delegation with Iranians. He said one of the goals behind the launch of the club was to resolve problems in way of cooperation and bilateral trade. He admitted the problem for visa issuance for Iranian traders and said they are working to resolve the problem through contacts and consultation with the Russian government.

He emphasized that the level of trade between Tehran and Moscow is not good at all and both sides should work for increasing it. He went on to say that according to the statistics released by the Russian Custom Administration, the trade between Iran and Russia has increased by 42% in 7 months and expressed hope this achievement is kept and even increased through efforts of the two sides.

Zhiganshin then pointed to the banking problems for bilateral trade and said last week a workgroup was held in Moscow in presence of governors of central banks of Iran and Russia and the issue was discussed. He added that in this relation, a roadmap for the next three years has been prepared and expressed hope with its implementation, both sides see removal of hurdles in way of their banking transactions. - Iran News