Member Countries
ecocci
Iran, Kazakhstan urged to lift banking, transportation hurdles to reach $3 billion trade target
Iran and Kazakhstan are working to expand their bilateral trade to over $3 billion, but unresolved banking and transportation issues remain key obstacles, President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) said on Saturday.
Sammad Hassanzadeh emphasized the need for improved financial transactions and logistics infrastructure during a meeting with Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade, Arman Shakkaliyev.
Iran's diverse production capabilities allow for increased exports to Kazakhstan, particularly in food industries, petrochemicals, engineering services, construction, and medical equipment, Hassanzadeh said. He noted that joint projects in energy, textiles, and mining could further strengthen economic ties.
Despite multiple cooperation agreements signed between the two nations, Hassanzadeh lamented that many remain unimplemented. He also urged greater tourism and trade delegation exchanges, especially following the mutual visa exemption agreement.
Shakkaliyev acknowledged Iran's strong potential in technical and engineering services and expressed interest in expanding trade in building materials, medical devices, machinery, and food industries. "We can increase annual trade in technical services alone to $500 million," he said.
However, the Kazakh minister stressed that banking issues must be resolved to facilitate trade. "Without solving financial transaction barriers, increasing trade volume will be difficult. We have proposed solutions and are hopeful for progress," he said.
On logistics, Shakkaliyev pointed to the importance of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as a means to enhance connectivity between the two countries.
Iran eyes partnership in Uzbekistan’s construction sector
Head of Iran-Uzbekistan Joint Chamber of Commerce has highlighted the need for Iran to gain a foothold in Uzbekistan’s construction industry.
In an interview with Iran Chamber of Commerce newsroom on Saturday, Mousa Aghaei referred to Uzbekistan’s 2030 Vision Plan, which has strong focus on improving the country’s infrastructure especially in the area of construction and road building.
He said that exports of techno-engineering services are among the points of strength of Iran’s private sector that have to be used.
Aghaei added that an Iranian private sector delegation is to attend Uzbekistan’s Construction Exhibition (UzBuild) due to be held in Tashkent on February 25-27.
He referred to the strong presence of Russia, China and South Korea in Uzbekistan, and stressed that "We must strive not to fall behind our rivals.
Iran-Tajikistan Business Forum focusses on tourism cooperation
During an Iran-Tajikistan Business Forum on Wednesday, the two sides discussed ways for expansion of tourism cooperation between the two nations.
Addressing the forum, President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Samad Hassanzadeh urged the need for Iran and Tajikistan to introduce their tourism attractions, referring to wavering of visa requirements for Tajik citizens by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian which enables Tajik people to travel to Iran from every point of the country.
He also said that Iran and Tajikistan can give a boost to their cooperation in different areas, including, techno-engineering, oil, gas, medical equipment, and health tourism.
Hassanzadeh hailed the cultural commonalities between the two countries which he believed could pave the way for enhancement of their economic relations.
Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism, Reza Salehi Amiri, who was also present at the forum, said that the two countries have agreed to increase bilateral tourism exchanges so that the number of Tajik tourists visiting Iran and Iranian tourists visiting Tajikistan will reach 100,000 annually. In a meeting earlier in the day he had said that the number currently stands at as low as 8,500.
Iran Chamber of Commerce president calls for strategic Iran-Turkey cooperation in agriculture, trade
The president of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) has emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral trade between Iran and Turkey, particularly in the agricultural and food industries.
In a speech at a conference of business operators of the agricultural and food sectors of both countries, Samad Hassanzadeh highlighted the reduction of transportation time and costs for agricultural and food products as key factors in increasing trade volumes between the two nations.
Hassanzadeh noted that both countries are home to leading experts and scientists in agriculture and food industries. He proposed the establishment of joint research centers focused on the development and improvement of agricultural technologies, such as modern irrigation methods, new planting and harvesting techniques, genetically modified seeds, and pest control. This, he said, could lead to increased productivity and higher quality products.
The Iran Chamber of Commerce president also emphasized that Iran and Turkey can be both competitors and partners in the agricultural sector, and should focus on mutual cooperation to foster further development and prosperity. He recommended a long-term, strategic approach to bilateral agricultural cooperation between the two nations.
Referring to a recent problem for Iranian truck drivers at the joint border with Turkey, Hassanzadeh concluded that steps should be taken to halt confrontational measures at the borders and further ease transportation.
Iran private sector, ECO chief urge stronger trade links
Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) have emphasized the necessity of organizing trade summits and specialized exhibitions to bolster economic collaboration among member states.
In a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday, ICCIMA President Samad Hassanzadeh and ECO Secretary General Asad Majeed Khan addressed the longstanding lack of implementation of previously agreed-upon accords among ECO members.
Hassanzadeh highlighted six key agreements under the ECO framework aimed at facilitating trade, lamenting the lack of progress on these initiatives.
These agreements, including the establishment of a cultural institutions, reinsurance companies, a trade development bank, and a standardization institute, are essential to enhancing inter-member relations, Hassanzadeh stated.
He described the current intra-ECO trade volume as insignificant, accounting for as low as 7% of global trade. Hassanzadeh highlighted the need for giving a boost to trade exchanges between member states.
Challenges including lengthy visa processes, the absence of direct flights, inconsistent financial channels, and varying trade regulations were cited as significant barriers to deeper cooperation.
ECO Secretary General Majeed Khan, said he has been contributing to drafting the ECO trade agreement over the past two decades, while regretting that it has not been implemented yet.
ECO has the potential to play a pivotal role in fostering trade alliances, he said, underlining his commitment to reinvigorating the organization during his tenure.
Majeed Khan called for a review of past agreements, streamlined tariffs, and increased government-to-government collaboration to overcome structural and legal obstacles.
ECO's collective trade volume, estimated at $1.8 billion, remains a fraction of global trade, he said, underscoring the urgency of more efforts to encourage trade exchanges between the member countries.
Iran, Tajikistan discuss preferential trade, full implementation of visa-free travel
Iran and Tajikistan have emphasized the need to expedite a preferential trade agreement and completely eliminate visa requirements to boost bilateral economic relations.
During a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday between President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Samad Hassanzadeh and Tajik Ambassador to Tehran, Nizomiddin Zohidi, both sides highlighted untapped trade potential and the importance of closer collaboration between their business communities.
Hassanzadeh noted that the current trade volume falls far short of the two countries' capabilities. "Iran has significant potential in knowledge-based companies, engineering services, food industries, petrochemicals, construction materials, tourism, and information technology," he said, expressing Iran's readiness to meet Tajikistan's needs.
He also called for joint efforts to facilitate trade by organizing delegations and specialized exhibitions, adding that full implementation of visa-free travel could pave the way for deeper partnerships, including the establishment of joint industrial zones.
Zohidi echoed the sentiment, acknowledging progress in trade volume, which has reportedly increased tenfold since 2020. However, he urged efforts to boost bilateral trade to $1 billion, inviting Iranian business leaders to explore opportunities in Tajikistan.
Addressing visa challenges, the Tajik ambassador noted that the current exemption applies only to flights between Tehran and Dushanbe and does not include flights operating between Mashhad and Dushanbe. "We plan to launch a new route between Shiraz and Dushanbe, and fully removing visa requirements will enhance tourism and trade."
Also speaking during the meeting, Mohammad Hossein Roshanak, head of the Iran-Tajikistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, criticized high tariffs on Iranian goods in Tajikistan compared to Uzbek imports, calling for fair trade practices to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness.
Iran, Tajikistan discuss preferential trade, full implementation of visa-free travel
Iran and Tajikistan have emphasized the need to expedite a preferential trade agreement and completely eliminate visa requirements to boost bilateral economic relations.
During a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday between President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Samad Hassanzadeh and Tajik Ambassador to Tehran, Nizomiddin Zohidi, both sides highlighted untapped trade potential and the importance of closer collaboration between their business communities.
Hassanzadeh noted that the current trade volume falls far short of the two countries' capabilities. "Iran has significant potential in knowledge-based companies, engineering services, food industries, petrochemicals, construction materials, tourism, and information technology," he said, expressing Iran's readiness to meet Tajikistan's needs.
He also called for joint efforts to facilitate trade by organizing delegations and specialized exhibitions, adding that full implementation of visa-free travel could pave the way for deeper partnerships, including the establishment of joint industrial zones.
Zohidi echoed the sentiment, acknowledging progress in trade volume, which has reportedly increased tenfold since 2020. However, he urged efforts to boost bilateral trade to $1 billion, inviting Iranian business leaders to explore opportunities in Tajikistan.
Addressing visa challenges, the Tajik ambassador noted that the current exemption applies only to flights between Tehran and Dushanbe and does not include flights operating between Mashhad and Dushanbe. "We plan to launch a new route between Shiraz and Dushanbe, and fully removing visa requirements will enhance tourism and trade."
Also speaking during the meeting, Mohammad Hossein Roshanak, head of the Iran-Tajikistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, criticized high tariffs on Iranian goods in Tajikistan compared to Uzbek imports, calling for fair trade practices to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness.
Iran, Tajikistan discuss preferential trade, full implementation of visa-free travel
Iran and Tajikistan have emphasized the need to expedite a preferential trade agreement and completely eliminate visa requirements to boost bilateral economic relations.
During a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday between President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Samad Hassanzadeh and Tajik Ambassador to Tehran, Nizomiddin Zohidi, both sides highlighted untapped trade potential and the importance of closer collaboration between their business communities.
Hassanzadeh noted that the current trade volume falls far short of the two countries' capabilities. "Iran has significant potential in knowledge-based companies, engineering services, food industries, petrochemicals, construction materials, tourism, and information technology," he said, expressing Iran's readiness to meet Tajikistan's needs.
He also called for joint efforts to facilitate trade by organizing delegations and specialized exhibitions, adding that full implementation of visa-free travel could pave the way for deeper partnerships, including the establishment of joint industrial zones.
Zohidi echoed the sentiment, acknowledging progress in trade volume, which has reportedly increased tenfold since 2020. However, he urged efforts to boost bilateral trade to $1 billion, inviting Iranian business leaders to explore opportunities in Tajikistan.
Addressing visa challenges, the Tajik ambassador noted that the current exemption applies only to flights between Tehran and Dushanbe and does not include flights operating between Mashhad and Dushanbe. "We plan to launch a new route between Shiraz and Dushanbe, and fully removing visa requirements will enhance tourism and trade."
Also speaking during the meeting, Mohammad Hossein Roshanak, head of the Iran-Tajikistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, criticized high tariffs on Iranian goods in Tajikistan compared to Uzbek imports, calling for fair trade practices to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness.
Iran Chamber of Commerce to host 41st ICCD general assembly in 2025
President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) Abdullah Saleh Kamel have announced that the next meeting of ICCD general assembly will be hosted by Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) in 2025.
The ICCD board of directors convened in Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday where they reviewed a wide range of issues, including the amendment of the statutes already proposed and discussed in an ICCD executive committee meeting.
The participants decided that the member chambers offer their proposals to the secretariat within three months so as to be discussed in the future meetings of the board of directors.
Representatives from the chambers of commerce of Iran, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kuwait, Mauritania, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkey, the UAE, and Azerbaijan were present at the meeting.
The Iranian delegation was comprised of Samad Hassanzadeh, the president of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA), Hossein Pirmoazzen and Keyvan Kashefi, two ICCIMA board members, Mohammadreza Karbasi, the director of the Islamic Chamber Research and Information Center (ICRIC), as well as other representatives from Iranian consulate in Istanbul.
Iranian representatives proposed a special working group of well-known lawyers be formed for mulling the proposals offered by the member chambers for making the final amendments to the ICCD statutes.