A break in fiber optic cable has interrupted Iran-Turkey cross-border trade, says spokesperson of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, Rouhollah Latifi.
“Since March 16, more than 2,500 wagons have carried cargo to and from Turkey via Razi border-crossing, which is Iran’s sole rail connection with the neighboring country. However, fiber optic cable damage has hindered customs data communications between the two sides in recent days,” he said.
Latifi called on Iran Telecommunications Company to immediately address the issue, given the fact that all land border-crossings between the two countries are closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Mehr News Agency reported.
“All border crossings in West Azarbaijan Province are open to trade with the neighboring countries’ local customs official,” Tohid Azarbod said.
“Amid the coronavirus outbreak, customs activities have been shifted from a number of closed border crossings to the northwestern province, particularly Tamarchin and Razi.”
West Azarbaijan Province borders Turkey, Iraq and Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
"Tamarchin [bordering the Iraqi Kurdistan] is now open 24 hours a day. The crossings through Tamarchin border terminal was at all-time high on April 2 with 600 trucks. A total of 9,741 trucks headed to Iraq over the past month,” he was quoted as saying by ILNA on Wednesday.
Referring to Razi border-crossing where Iran’s sole rail connection with Turkey passes, the official said more than 2,500 wagons have carried cargo to and from Turkey since Feb. 20.
According to Latifi, Iran and Turkey exchanged a total of 54,000 tons of commodities from March 16 to April 13 via railroad.
“After the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Iran, Turkey closed all road and rail connections as of Feb. 22 to prevent the spread of the disease. After negotiations, our railroad connection was restored on March 16. During the period under review, Iran exported 13,537 tons of commodities to Turkey via 567 cargo wagons and imported 40,375 tons in return via 1,088 wagons," he said.
The exports included polyethylene, paraffin, urea, copper ingots and watermelon.
The imports included banana, paper, wood pulp and tobacco.
According to latest data released by Turkish Statistical Institute, Iran’s trade with Turkey totaled $561.37 million during the two months since the beginning of 2020 to register a decrease of 57.72% compared to the corresponding month of 2019.
Iran exported $218.6 million worth of goods to Turkey during the two months under review, indicating a 77.02% decline year-on-year.
Imports stood at $342.77 million, down 8.98% YOY.
