Mohammad Reza Sabouri
MINSK, 2 March (BelTA) – The Iranian side pins big hopes on the next session of the Belarusian-Iranian intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Belarus Mohammad Reza Sabouri told BelTA.
“The session is scheduled to be held in Minsk in two to three months,” the diplomat said. The parties will discuss new ways and opportunities for bolstering the Belarusian-Iranian cooperation.
The ambassador noted that in 2015 the trade between the two countries totaled some $75 million. Belarus exported around $65 million worth of goods to Iran. Mohammad Reza Sabouri pointed out that the trade is expected to triple in 2016, bearing in mind the new opportunities. “The Iranian government is eager to buy as many Belarusian products as possible,” the diplomat stressed.
He also emphasized the difficulties with mutual cargo transportation arising from the long geographical distance between the countries and considerable transportation costs. Mohammad Reza Sabouri believes that Belarusian and Iranian partners should reach long-term mutually beneficial agreements and develop a system for cargo delivery.
Iran is ready to help Belarusian companies sell their products to other countries of the region. The ambassador noted with regret that Belarus does not make full use of the opportunities for the export of heavy-duty vehicles to Iran.
Mohammad Reza Sabouri also stressed the need to use modern methods in the bilateral trade. The diplomat believes that the two countries have great prospects for cooperation in the banking sector, since many economy and investment projects are implemented using bank loans. In Belarus there are banks with Iranian capital. Trade Capital Bank founded in 2008 is one of them. “Belarus and Iran can boost the exchange of goods and services with the help of banks. We should eliminate any obstacles and explore new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation,” the ambassador said.
Kayson is one of the Iranian companies operating on the Belarusian market and implementing large-scale projects. The list also includes Didas, Bel Peka Paint, and Eastern Sheep.
Mohammad Reza Sabouri believes that the number of Iranian and Belarusian-Iranian companies operating in Belarus will be increasing. These companies will make a considerable contribution to the development of bilateral cooperation.
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