Iran exported a total of 124,737 tons of goods worth $91.6 million to Tajikistan in the last Iranian year (March 2021-22), registering a 535% and 459% rise in weight and value respectively compared with the year before, spokesperson of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration said.
The low trade turnover, despite the two countries’ high potentials, gains significance as Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon arrived in Tehran on Sunday at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart, President Ebrahim Raisi, for boosting politico-economic ties.
During the same period, Rouhollah Latifi was also quoted as saying by ILNA, 14,512 tons of goods worth $39.43 million were imported from Tajikistan, registering a 263% and 439% rise in volume and value respectively compared with the previous year.
Iran mainly imported uncombed cotton and silkworm cocoons.
“Our main exports during the period were agricultural products, construction materials, petrochemicals, chocolate and pastry, dried nuts, electronic devices, home and kitchen appliances, footwear, apparel, chemicals, industrial machinery, textile, leather, stationery, agricultural equipment and packaging materials,” he added.
Iran-Tajikistan non-oil trade in the last Iranian year stood at 139,000 tons worth $131 million, indicating a 489% and 463% growth.
Latifi noted that considering all the commonalities between Iranian and Tajikistan’s culture, language and history, trade between the two sides has high potentials for growth, adding that with the visit of Tajikistan’s president to Iran, negotiations for expanding bilateral commercial ties have started.
“Bilateral trade in the last 15 years stood at 2.71 million tons worth over $2.58 billion. Our exports accounted for 2.53 million tons worth $2.2 billion of the overall sum while imports from Tajikistan hit 185,996 tons worth $376.36 million,” he added.
Exports to Tajikistan stood at 47,975 tons with a value $37.66 million in the Q4 of last fiscal year (Dec. 22, 2021-March 20), registering a growth of 1,049% and 953% in weight and value year-on-year, respectively, the IRICA chief said earlier.
Q4 imports hit 8,364 tons worth $24.04 million, registering a 649% growth 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.
The Tajik leader, who was received by Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian at the Mehrabad International Airport, attended a formal reception ceremony hosted by President Raisi.
He held talks with top Iranian officials during his two days of stay.
In a meeting with Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister Mozaffar Hosseinzadeh in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian underlined the significance of the Tajik president’s visit, expressing hope that the trip would provide a major impetus for the promotion of relations between the two nations in various fields.
“Such a huge potential clears the way for expansion of ties between the two brotherly and friendly nations,” the top Iranian diplomat added.
The Tajik deputy foreign minister highlighted the importance of bilateral ties in various areas and declared Tajikistan’s readiness to develop ties with Iran.
Trade Recovering for Second Year
Two-way trade between Tajikistan and Iran has been recovering for the second year after a seven-year lull, Asia Plus reported.
According to data from the Tajik Agency for Statistics, trade between Tajikistan and Iran over the first quarter of 2022 was valued at $66.9 million, which is 4.5 times more than in the same period of last year.
In January-March 2022, Tajikistan’s exports to Iran reached 33.4 million $4,600 and Tajikistan’s imports from Iran were worth $33.5 million.
The recovery of trade between Tajikistan and Iran began last year. In 2021, bilateral trade reached 120 million somonis, which is 2.1 times more than in 2020.
Earlier, 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 President Raisi’s visit to Dushanbe in September 2021, eight cooperation documents were signed.
So far, the two countries have reportedly signed over 160 agreements, which have prepared the ground for their legal cooperation in all sectors.
Resumption of Air Traffic After Two Years
After a two-year break, Tajikistan has resumed air traffic with Iran and India, an official source with the Civil Aviation Agency under the Government of Tajikistan told Asia-Plus.
“After a two-year break caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Tajikistan has resumed regular flights on the following air routes: Dushanbe-New Delhi-Dushanbe; Dushanbe-Nursultan-Dushanbe; and Dushanbe-Tehran-Dushanbe,” the source said, noting that these flights will operate on a biweekly basis.
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 source added.
Somon Air is the first private airline in Tajikistan with an office in Dushanbe. The airline’s operations are based at the Dushanbe International Airport.
The airline started operating on Feb. 5, 2008, with regular flights to Moscow and Dubai. It also serves as the official carrier of Tajikistan’s president and other high-ranking officials.
The national airline of Iran, branded IranAir, is the flag carrier of Iran, which is headquartered at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.
