Foreign Trade in Hot Water

Iran’s economy is not doing well and the decline in indexes and trade proves this claim. 
Trade with neighboring countries is not balanced, as many countries refrain from improving economic relations with Iran. Monetary tool is the main instrument for increasing exports or trade surplus, which has been dented by sanctions on the banking sector. When the smooth exchange of goods is hampered, membership in the Eurasian Economic Union or the Shanghai Cooperation Organization cannot help. On the other hand, high production cost, resulting from double-digit, long-lasting inflation and sanctions, is a big hurdle in the way of improving foreign trade, economist Hadi Haqshenas said in an article for the Persian daily Ta’adol. A translation of the text follows:
Neighboring countries need some Iranian products; for example, Turkey needs Iran’s natural gas. Afghanistan and Iraq need our technical and engineering services, construction materials and agricultural products. Obstacles do not stop them from finding an alternative solution. In fact, Turkey does not wait for Iran to solve its problems with the world and then export energy to that country.