Iran proposes formulating roadmap for comprehensive cooperation with Kazakhstan

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has proposed to draw up a roadmap for developing comprehensive cooperation between Iran and Kazakhstan as the two countries seek to bring bilateral trade to $3 billion.

Mokhber made the remarks in a Wednesday meeting with the visiting Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov in Tehran, noting that such long-term planning will help realize the $3 billion mark.

The two countries can develop cooperation in various fields such as transit, energy, industry, mining, and agriculture, Mokhber said, adding that Iran is equipped with the know-how to establish dams and power plants and produce medical equipment among various other capabilities. “We are ready to share these capabilities with Kazakhstan and enhance the level of cooperation in these fields,” the VP said.

Pointing to the potential of cultural and tourism cooperation between the two states, Mokhber called for establishing direct flights and facilitating tourists’ visits.

He also referred to the potential of regional organizations such as the Eurasian Economic Union and Shanghai Cooperation Organization, saying that Iran and Kazakhstan can boost bilateral trade by relying on these capacities and facilitating trade for private companies.

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For his part, Smailov welcomed the proposal for formulating a roadmap, noting that developing relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran is among priorities of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.

Pointing to the official visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Tehran in June 2022, the PM said the visit was a turning point in bilateral relations and that the upcoming visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi to Astana could lead to serious changes in bilateral ties.

Describing Iran as the most important trade partner of Kazakhstan in the Persian Gulf region, he said that his country is ready to enhance cooperation with Iran in all areas.

At the end of the meeting, officials of the two countries inked five MoUs and one agreement that aim to boost ties in fields such as sports, customs, free zones, and tourism.

Mokhber and Smailov also attended a joint press conference after the meeting, highlighting the will to boost bilateral ties.

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The Iranian official said that they had discussed using national currencies for bilateral trade and clinched an initial agreement on the issue.

The latest figures put the value of trade between Iran and Kazakhstan in 2022 at $528 million. Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Resources and Management Development Affairs Houshang Mohammadi said on Wednesday that Iran’s exports to Kazakhstan account for $210 million of the total value.

The presidents of the two countries have set a target of $3 billion in annual trade during their previous meetings.

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