TEHRAN (PIN) -- Iran’s trade with four Caspian Sea littoral states exceed three billion dollars per year, director general of Trade Development Organization for European, American, and CIS countries affairs said.

Abdolhamid Assadian told IRNA that the country already has trade deals with Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan and plans to sign preferential trade agreements (PTAs) with them.
Stressing that Caspian littoral states are markets for Iranian goods, the official noted that establishment of trade centers and dispatch of commercial attaches will certainly increase transactions.
Assadian stated that the four countries, which are rich in gas and oil resources, export 371 billion dollar worth of goods annually of which Russian exports account for 317 dollars.
He said that Iran’s non-oil exports to these countries recorded a significant growth in the first half of Iranian year to March 2008.
Tehran’s non-oil exports to Astana totaled 70 million dollars during the same six months, showing a 40 million dollar growth compared to the figure for the same period last year.
Iran exported 300 million dollar worth of non-oil goods to Russia last year, while the figure stood at 155 million dollars during March 21-Sept. 22.
Assadian said that the country exported 136 million dollar and 70 million dollar worth of non-oil commodities to Turkmenistan during the last year and the first six months of the current year respectively.
The official stated that direct railway link with Turkmenistan would help Iran have access to Russia and Kazakhstan via Sarakhs border point.
There is road connection between Iran and Turkmenistan via Bajgiran checkpoint and trade with Azerbaijan is conducted via northern city of Astara, he said, adding this border point would help the country access Russia’s Astrakhan port.