Iranian official highlights Caspian Economic Forum’s role in expanding regional cooperation

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has said that the Caspian Economic Forum serves as a crucial platform for further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation among the Caspian countries.

He made these remarks at the third Caspian Economic Forum in Tehran, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

“Economic interaction among these countries, which collectively have a population of over 300 million people and a trade turnover of $700 billion, aligns with the interests of both the countries and their people,” the first vice president said.

He emphasised that one of the most critical issues is the preservation of the Caspian Sea's ecology.

"About 80 per cent of the world's caviar and sturgeon products come from the Caspian Sea. The Caspian region is of great importance not only for the regional countries but also for Asia and Europe. The sea connects continents from a transportation perspective, with international transport corridors passing through the Caspian region. The Caspian countries are rich in natural resources and economic potential, which creates opportunities for broader cooperation," he added.  

The third Caspian Economic Forum kicked off in Tehran on February 17 with the presence of the officials of the Caspian countries. The two-day event is being held with the aim of presenting solutions to increase the economic and commercial cooperation among the Caspian countries. According to Iran's Trade Promotion Organisation (TPO), Akbar Godari, Director General for Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Russia at the TPO, the key topics include healthcare, energy, finance, tourism, investment in free trade zones, and logistics.

By Naila Huseynova