TEHRAN – Iranian Energy Minister Ali-Akbar Mehrabian has said the trade between Iran and Tajikistan has increased by 10 times over the past two years, Fars News Agency reported.

According to Mehrabian, the value of trade between the two countries which was $23 million in the Iranian calendar year 1399 (2020-2021) reached $280 million in the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20, 2023).

The trade between the two countries also reached $150 million in the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-September 22) and it is expected to exceed $300 million by the end of the year (late March 2024).

“During the previous visit of President Raisi to Tajikistan, the two countries had set a $500 million target for the trade between the two sides and now considering the current trend of relations, a much higher goal can be set,” Mehrabian said.

Tehran, Dushanbe ink 18 MOUs to expand ties

Iran and Tajikistan on Wednesday signed a joint statement and 18 cooperation documents and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to deepen bilateral strategic relations.

The joint statement was signed between President Raisi and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe, IRIB reported.

The documents and MOUs were inked by the Iranian and Tajik ministers in the presence of the two presidents.

As reported, the documents and MOUs pertained to a roadmap for the long-term bilateral trade and economic cooperation till 2030, mutual visa-free access, anti-drug trafficking operations, transportation, crisis management and the establishment of joint free economic zones, as well as inter-city cooperation in various fields.

During a meeting earlier in the day, Raisi said Iran and Tajikistan could increase their annual trade transactions to $500 million in the first step.

Raisi stressed that historical, religious, and cultural commonalities shared by the two countries provide a favorable ground for enhancing bilateral relations in all aspects.

The Tajik president, for his part, highlighted the necessity to develop bilateral ties, particularly in mining, health, science and technology, and agriculture sectors

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Raisi arrived in Dushanbe on Wednesday. During the day, he also attended a meeting of the two countries' traders and businessmen.

EF/MA