Iran’s trade with Tajikistan stood at 139,249 tons worth $131.04 million in the fiscal 2021-22 (ended March 20), registering a 489% and 453% year-on-year growth in terms of weight and value respectively, according to Rouhollah Latifi, spokesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.
Exports to Tajikistan hit 124,737 tons worth $91.6 million during the period, registering a 535% and 459% YOY growth in terms of weight and value, respectively.
Imports stood at 14,512 tons worth $39.44 million, registering a 263% YOY growth in terms of weight and 439% YOY increase in terms of value, Mehr News Agency reported.
Exports to Tajikistan stood at 47,975 with a value of $37.66 million in the fourth quarter (Dec. 22, 2021-March 20), registering a 1,049% and 953% growth in weight and value year-on-year, respectively, he added.
Q4 imports hit 8,364 tons worth $24.04 million, registering a growth of 649% in weight and 1,046% in terms of value year-on-year.
Agricultural and food products, construction materials, home appliances, minerals, medicines and vaccines, chemicals, detergent, metal rods and sheet, clothes and shoes, rubber, fabric and yarn, glassware, electronics, furniture and toys were the main products exported from Iran to Tajikistan during the period.
The imports mainly included cotton, silkworm cocoons, plastic products and tableware.
Recovering for Second Year After 7-Year Fall
Two-way trade between Tajikistan and Iran, which have many things in common, including common language, culture and religion, has been recovering for the second year after a seven-year fall, Asia Plus reported.
According to data from the Agency for Statistics under Tajikistan’s president, bilateral trade between Tajikistan and Iran over the first quarter of this year was valued at about $66.9 million, which is 4.5 times more than in the same period of last year.
In January-March this year, the two-way trade consisted of Tajikistan’s exports to Iran estimated at $33.4 million and Tajikistan’s imports from Iran worth $33.5 million.
A trend towards recovery of trade between Tajikistan and Iran began last year. In 2021, bilateral trade was valued at more than 120 million somonis, which is 2.1 times more than in 2020.
Prior to that, trade between Tajikistan and Iran fell more than five times during seven years, from nearly $300 million in 2013 to $58 million in 2020.
If trade between Tajikistan and Iran continues to grow at the same pace as in the first quarter of this year, it may return this year to the 2013 level.
During Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in September 2021, eight cooperation documents were signed.
To-date, the two countries have reportedly signed over 160 bilateral agreements, which have prepared the ground for their legal cooperation in all sectors.
Resumption of Air Travel After Two Years
Notably, after a two-year break, Tajikistan has resumed air travel ties with Iran and India, an official with Tajikistan’s Civil Aviation Agency told Asia-Plus in an interview.
“After a two-year break caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Tajikistan has resumed regular flights on the following routes: Dushanbe-New Delhi-Dushanbe, Dushanbe-Nursultan-Dushanbe and Dushanbe-Tehran-Dushanbe,” the official said, noting that these flights will operate twice weekly.
According to the official, the Dushanbe-New-Delhi-Dushanbe flight was relaunched on April 9.
Tajikistan’s privately owned air carrier Somon Air operates flights on this air route.
As far as Dushanbe-Tehran-Dushanbe flight is concerned, it will be operated by Iranian flag carrier IranAir.
“If possible, Somon Air will also operate flights on this air route,” the official added.
Somon Air is the first private airline in Tajikistan with an office headquartered in Dushanbe and airline operations based at Dushanbe International Airport. The airline started operating on Feb. 5, 2008, with regular flights to Moscow and Dubai.
The airline also serves as the official carrier of Tajikistan’s president and other high-ranking officials.
The national airline of Iran, branded as IranAir, is the flag carrier of Iran, which is headquartered at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran.
