Minister: Iran actively collaborating with Azerbaijan on transport transit

Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Atabak has said that the role and significance of the Caspian region in the global economy are extremely important.

“Given this, the Caspian countries must take substantial steps to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation,” Atabak said at the third Caspian Economic Forum in Tehran, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

He mentioned that the Iranian government is taking necessary actions to establish a transport corridor between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, developing logistics centres, and increasing the throughput capacity of ports.

“The international transport corridors ‘East-West’ and ‘North-South’ pass through the territories of the Caspian countries. To enhance their effectiveness and increase cargo volumes, the regional countries should establish a simplified digital customs and border crossing system and intensify cooperation in this sphere," said the Iranian minister, adding that there is significant potential for economic interaction with countries that have maritime borders as well. 

"The Caspian countries are also represented in the Economic Cooperation Organisation, where economic collaboration issues can be discussed and future prospects identified. Iran shares land borders with two Caspian countries – Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan – and actively cooperates with them in the field of transport transit. Expanding this cooperation holds the potential for economic growth for all parties involved,” the Iranian minister added.

The third Caspian Economic Forum commenced in Tehran on February 17, with officials from the Caspian countries in attendance. 

The prime ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan participated in the forum.

This two-day event aimed to explore ways to enhance economic and trade cooperation among the Caspian countries. 

Director General for Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Russia at Iran's Trade Promotion Organisation (TPO) Akbar Godari said that key discussion areas included healthcare, energy, finance, tourism, investment in free trade zones, and logistics.

By Naila Huseynova