The head of the Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Chamber of Commerce says the two countries are aiming to increase bilateral trade by 30 percent, following the first-ever exhibition of Turkmenistan’s export capabilities in Iran — an event driven entirely by private sector investment.Ramazan Bahrami, who also heads the Industry, Mining and Trade House of Golestan Province, described the three-day event held in Gorgan from May 4 to 6 as a strategic milestone in Iran-Turkmenistan commercial relations and a tangible step toward strengthening regional economic diplomacy.Held at the Gorgan International Exhibition Center, the event featured 53 private companies and 12 government institutions from Turkmenistan, and attracted significant interest from Iranian industrialists and businesspeople.“This was the first time since Turkmenistan’s independence that such an exhibition took place in Iran, and Golestan Province had the honor of hosting it,” Bahrami said. “The exhibition was the result of consensus between the private sector and state institutions, and the outcome exceeded expectations.”He said the expo aimed to expand trade exchanges and showcase Turkmenistan’s industrial and export capacities to the Iranian market. The idea for reciprocal trade exhibitions was first approved at the 17th Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Economic Committee meeting, and the Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Chamber was tasked with its implementation.Bahrami emphasized that the participation of both countries’ private sectors in expert panels and face-to-face negotiations provided fertile ground for launching new partnerships. Preliminary agreements were reached in areas including petrochemicals, petroleum products, construction materials, food industries, textiles, and logistics, which are expected to boost bilateral trade once finalized.According to Bahrami, trade between the two countries reached nearly $600 million last year. With the momentum created by this exhibition and new commercial interactions, Iran and Turkmenistan are now targeting a minimum 30 percent increase in that figure. “Some of this growth will materialize in the coming months, and the rest will be reflected in next year’s export statistics,” he said.Explaining the choice of Golestan as the host province, Bahrami pointed to strategic ethnic, cultural, and geographical ties. “Over one million ethnic Turkmens live in Golestan and North Khorasan, creating a natural platform for expanding economic, cultural, and social relations with Turkmenistan.”He noted that the event was funded entirely by the private sector, with the government offering oversight, support, and facilitation. “This model proves that meaningful outcomes can be achieved when the private sector is empowered.”Bahrami added that the exhibition attracted delegations from other Central Asian countries, turning it into a broader regional platform rather than just a bilateral affair.Looking ahead, he said plans are underway to hold a reciprocal Iranian trade expo in Turkmenistan’s Balkan Province. “We expect this continued exchange to elevate bilateral economic ties to a strategic level.”He also underscored Golestan’s role as a gateway to Iran’s northeastern trade corridor, thanks to its shared rail links with Turkmenistan, the Incheh-Borun Free Zone, port infrastructure, and cultural affinities with Central Asia. “If these opportunities are matched with coordinated support, we could witness major transformations in exports, imports, and technology transfer in the coming years,” Bahrami concluded.On May 2, the deputy head of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) called for the removal of key structural barriers—particularly in banking, transport, logistics, and visa issuance—to unlock the trade potential between Iran and Turkmenistan.Speaking at a joint business forum held during Iran Expo 2025, Peyman Bagheri highlighted the two countries’ shared strengths in energy, mining, agriculture, and tourism but said current trade levels fail to reflect those capacities. “Despite deep-rooted historical, cultural, and economic ties, trade volumes remain below potential and need a more proactive approach,” he said.Bagheri urged joint chambers of commerce and trade associations to play a more dynamic role in connecting supply and demand and facilitating cross-border business. (ICE TEHERAN)

Fonte notizia: Tehran Times