Iran secure corridor of trade exchanges in region: Official

Gorgan, IRNA – Golestan Province, and Iran in general, are secure routes for trade exchange and transit for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Central Asia, a provincial official said. Golestan's Governor-General Mohammad-Ali Zanganeh made the remarks in a meeting with the trade and economic delegation of the Republic of Tatarstan on Monday evening. Zanganeh said that issues concerning transportation and development of maritime and railway transits of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) are among important topics on both sides. Following the recent developments in the region, western areas of the Caspian Sea experience a different situation in terms of transportation, export, and import, he noted, adding that regional countries are expected to collaborate in order to create safe and secure routes. The route of the Caspian Sea and Iran is one of the best corridors of exchanging goods, which can develop trade and economy in Central Asia and the CIS states, the general governor said. One of the advantages of the Republic of Tatarstan and Golestan Province is their agricultural capacities and joint ventures can help improve agriculture in both regions, he added, noting that Golestan Province enjoys a unique capacity in both agriculture and fishery. Zanganeh further said that Golestan Province plans to construct 94k houses for people and that the province and Tatarstan can cooperate in this respect to procure raw materials. In terms of tourism industry, both Tatarstan and Golestan enjoy unique capacities and can strengthen collaborations in this regard, the official said. Given the development of petrochemical and oil industries in Tatarstan as well as Golestan’s plan to develop oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, the two can pursue joint ventures in these areas, he added. Implementation of industrial projects in cooperation with the private sector can also turn into one of the arenas of collaboration between the Republic of Tatarstan and Golestan Province, Zanganeh went on to say. According to the volume of trade exchanges between Iran and Tatarstan, the target of tripling the trade ties before the end of the current year seems to be a proper objective given the existing capacities, he noted. The provincial official also expressed hope that a mutual agreement would be prepared and signed as soon as possible. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish