Iran offers Azerbaijan to set up joint chamber of commerce
By Seymur Aliyev
Iran's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pak Ayeen has offered to establish a joint chamber of commerce for the development of relations between the two neighboring countries.
He made the suggestion during a meeting with First Vice President of the Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce and Industry Niyaz Alizade, the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan told Trend news agency.
According to the diplomatic mission, during the meeting Pak Ayeen pointed to the need for simplification of the visa regime between the two countries and settlement of tariffs, which, in his opinion, would create opportunities for the private sectors of Iran and Azerbaijan.
The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran was about $500 million in 2011, Pak Ayeen said last week in an interview with Russian news agency Interfax. The ambassador also said the private sector has great potential. He said efforts were being made to bring the trade turnover to $1 billion, adding that "our potential allows increasing the turnover to that level".
Earlier, the two countries agreed to open a market on the border to develop bilateral economic relations. According to Iran's customs administration, head of customs department under the Iranian Interior Ministry Nurali Islampanah said that the market will operate at the Astara checkpoint.
"A bridge at the Astara checkpoint will be expanded to develop trade relations between Iran and Azerbaijan," he said. "A market will operate there."
He also said the seaport in Astara will promote the development of trade relations.
In an interview with the Baku-based Trend news agency, Director of the Free Economic Zone "Araz", Sadiq Necati, said a new customs checkpoint will be created in the Gulubeyli village on the Iranian-Azerbaijani border.