Thanks to its proximity to the coasts of Oman, Chabahar can play a pivotal role in exporting food to the Arab country, said Omani Commerce and Industry Minister Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy.
During a visit to the Iranian port at the weekend, Sunaidy was accompanied by Oman’s Minister of Transport and Communications Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi and 50 business figures from his country.
They explored investment opportunities and surveyed the port’s development projects as well as Makran Petrochemical Complex during their one-day Chabahar tour, IRNA reported.
Sunaidy described the trip as the first of its kind by a high-ranking Omani delegation to Chabahar.
“The visiting delegation includes executive directors of Oman Shipping Company and Oman Telecommunications Company as well as top representatives from the country’s national savings fund, oil company, customs organization, visa and police offices, the managing directors of Oman’s free trade zones and top traders,” he said.
“Omani investors are willing to invest in different fields, including but not limited to information and communications technology, construction of water and power plants, as well as development of ports and light industries in Chabahar.”
Sunaidy expressed his country’s resolve to boost economic exchanges with Iran and said the two countries are determined to consolidate their political and trade ties.
Iran’s Deputy Minister of Industries, Mining and Trade Valiollah Afkhamirad said Iran and Oman should take practical steps for expansion of trade ties by exchanging trade delegations and holding joint exhibitions.
“By increasing banking relations with Iran, Oman would help Iran advance its agenda, which is to improve economic ties with the world community,” he said.
The deputy minister called on Omani officials to provide facilities to ease visa issuance for Iranian traders and merchants.
Afkhamirad also welcomed the February 4 opening of Sohar-Chabahar shipping lane and called for direct air flights between Oman and Iran’s major cities of Tehran, Mashhad, Shiraz and Isfahan.
“The presence of Omani traders is the harbinger of all-out relations between the two neighboring countries,” said the governor general of Sistan-Baluchestan Province.
Ali Osat Hashemi added that Sohar-Chabahar shipping lane is the “connecting link” between Iran and Oman.
“Iran’s specialized, highly educated workforce as well as its fisheries and agricultural capacities would be of immense help to Oman,” he said.
“The fact that a large population of Iranian Baluchis are living in Oman has a positive impact on strengthening the two nations’ friendly ties.”
Chabahar is located in Sistan-Baluchestan Province on Iran’s southeastern coast and is a port of great strategic value. It lies outside the Persian Gulf and serves as a gateway to the resource-rich countries of Central Asia.
Chabahar Port’s development project can attract many foreign investors due to its favorable location in southeastern Iran and the prospects of restoring the Silk Road.
China and India have long been vying to invest in the Iranian port, with India expressing readiness to invest over $30 billion.
