Meeting of heads of specialized commissions of Tehran Chamber of Commerce with Turkish economic activists in Istanbul
Alireza Kiani, Chairman of the Money and Capital Market Commission, Mohammadreza Ghafrollahi, Chairman of the Trade Facilitation and Development Commission, and Peyman Sanandji, Chairman of the Transportation Commission of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, who represented this chamber in the Iranian private sector trade delegation traveling to Istanbul, met and discussed with senior managers of economic institutions and prominent figures in the Turkish private sector, including the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Independent Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey, and the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK), the possibility of developing trade cooperation through strengthening monetary and financial transactions, diversifying transport corridors, joint production, and presence in regional markets.
Review of Banking and Trade Challenges in Iran-Turkey Relations
Alireza Kiani, Head of the Money and Capital Market Commission of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, referring to the details of this trip, explained: In the meeting with members of the Association of Independent Industrialists and Merchants of Turkey and the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEİK), issues such as facilitating monetary and banking cooperation, logistical issues and other obstacles to the development of economic relations between the two countries were discussed and examined, and factors affecting the attractiveness of the Iranian market for Turkish economic actors were identified. It was also agreed that further strengthening and activating the Iran-Turkey Joint Trade Council could play an effective role in removing existing obstacles and increasing the level of exchanges between the two countries.
The Head of the Money and Capital Market Commission also stated, referring to the difference in the level of freedom of trade activities in the two countries: Turkish companies and export groups enjoy greater freedom of action than Iranian enterprises. In the meeting with the heads of the Turkish Exporters' Association (TİM), there was also the impression that the decrease in the willingness of Turkish businessmen to develop trade with Iran is largely due to this difference in the business environment and the restrictions faced by Iranian businessmen. In a situation where the import of many goods manufactured in different countries, including Turkey, is facing restrictions or prohibitions, Iran has effectively distanced itself from the country's trade priorities, and since trade is bilateral in nature, this situation has also had a negative impact on Iran's export capacities and opportunities to Turkey.
Referring to the meetings that have been held focusing on monetary and banking cooperation, he added: "Given the restrictions resulting from sanctions and issues related to FATF, the expectation of achieving significant growth in financial and banking relations with Turkish banks in the short term does not seem very realistic." However, the achievements and results of this trip in the field of financing and other issues to be examined, some of which have promising potential, will be made available to relevant institutions, including the Central Bank and the Stock Exchange Organization, for exploitation and follow-up.
Improving international interactions in the field of trade depends on the lifting of sanctions
Mohammad Reza Ghafrallahi, head of the Trade Facilitation and Development Commission of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, while explaining the details of the meetings and meetings of the Iran and Tehran Chamber of Commerce delegation with economic activists in Istanbul, said: In the numerous meetings we had with Turkish businessmen, the issue of developing trade relations, expanding cooperation in the production sector, and facilitating processes in the field of exports and imports between the two countries was discussed and examined.
Ghafrallahi added: One of the main themes of the discussions in the joint meetings with Turkish private sector managers was creating mechanisms for joint production, increasing mutual exports, and utilizing the capabilities of economic activists in the two countries to be present in each other's markets. The proposal to use the empty capacity of factories and establish joint industrial parks was also raised during these talks.
He pointed out that although these meetings did not end with the signing of a written memorandum of understanding, the atmosphere of the talks was very promising.
Ghafrollahi explained that during this visit, the future of trade interactions between Iranian and Turkish economic enterprises was outlined with a view to the removal of sanctions and possible openings, and the continuation of these interactions can provide the basis for sustainable and deep cooperation between the private sectors of Iran and Turkey.
The head of the Trade Facilitation and Development Commission of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, emphasizing that “the development of trade relations with other countries depends on international conditions, especially the lifting of sanctions,” added: “If conditions improve, there will be extensive capacities to strengthen industrial cooperation, transfer technology, increase production, and develop exports between the two countries.”
Smart logistics and strengthening corridors; Basis for developing trade relations with Turkey
Also, Peyman Sanandji, head of the Transportation Commission of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, explained the content of the talks and agreements with Turkish economic activists: The meetings and sessions of the Iranian delegation with Turkish economic activists, rather than leading to the signing of immediate contracts, led to a common understanding of the real capacities of cooperation and a change in the method of economic negotiations. An important achievement of these specialized meetings was the recognition of the economic structures of the Turkish private sector.
According to Sanandji, the Turkish private sector has a result-oriented, pragmatic and market-oriented structure and prioritizes executive projects, specific trade cooperation and real investment capacities.
The head of the Transportation Commission of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce spoke about the efforts of the Iranian private sector to cooperate with the Turkish private sector in areas such as logistics, textiles, automobiles, technology transfer, fintech and renewable energies, and described these sectors as the basis for developing economic relations between the two countries.
He considered the main goal of the trade delegation's trip to Turkey to transform potential capacities into actual flows of goods and trade, adding: "During this trip, some of the fundamental challenges of transportation and logistics, such as stopping Iranian trucks at the border, were addressed."