Behrouz Poursliman, in an interview with Ilna's business reporter, said that the political tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan do not affect trade relations between the two countries, and said that the Azerbaijani government has no not created a ban on trade with Iran, and the trade between the two countries has remained as strong as before, now there is no obstacle in the exchange of goods and customs between the two country.
Referring to the increase in trade between the two countries, he added: the trade figure with Azerbaijan in 2021 was around 90 million dollars, and this figure increased by 20% to around 110 million dollars in 2022; It should be noted that a percentage of the export volume decreased in terms of weight, but this percentage decrease was compensated by the increase in the dollar rate.
This economic activist in response to the question, have we defined certain openings for the development of trade with Azerbaijan, which would lead to an increase in trade with this country? He said: The increase in the rate of the dollar in Iran has justified the export of many goods. But last year, no export facility was established. THE
Poursliman expressed his hope that the Ardabil-Mianeh railway will be open by the end of this year, and added: The study plan for the construction of the Ardabil-Maghan railway is also in the order of the day of the government, and if this corridor is operational in the next 2 years, there will be no doubt that the volume will increase. Export will play an important role; The desire to complete these lines has been created among those responsible.
In answer to the question, how much does preserving the Azerbaijani market help our economy? He said: Apart from being a suitable market for Iranian products, Azerbaijan is also a suitable place for the transit of goods to Caucasus countries and Russia, in the sense that most Azerbaijani exporters are the same successful Russian businessmen.
A significant amount of goods purchased from Iran are transported from this country to the Caucasus and Russia, in other words, Azerbaijan is the communication channel and bridge between Iran and the Caucasus countries, this that is important for us to preserve.
The vice-president of the Ardabil Chamber of Commerce pointed out that the Trade Development Organization is obliged to provide subsidies to border provinces such as Gilan, Ardabil, East and West Azerbaijan and Zanjan, and has clarified that there was no support for the economy of the border provinces. .
At the end, Poursliman identified internal restrictive laws as the main factor in creating trade restrictions with other countries and added: the exchange agreement is a compulsory measure, the logic of which is not very clear for the exporters; This resolution should be removed for business volumes below $1 million; Despite these laws, we cannot hope for the development of exports.
It seems that export restrictions are related to Iran's internal laws, and Azerbaijan plays no role in this regard.