Iran exported 385,922 tons of non-oil commodities worth $74.06 million to Qatar during the first three months of the current Iranian year (March 21-June 21), registering an increase of 1.60% and 214.27% in tonnage and value respectively compared with last year’s corresponding period.
Mehr News Agency reported the above data citing the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain ended their diplomatic ties with Qatar a year ago, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. The dispute led to Libya, Maldives, Senegal, Mauritania, Comoros, Niger and Gabon breaking off their relations with Qatar as well. Jordan also announced curtailing diplomatic connections with the country.
With the neighboring countries closing road, air and sea routes with Qatar, the Qataris were subjected to an economic siege. Accordingly, an exceptional opportunity emerged for Iran and other allies of Doha in the region such as Turkey and Oman to boost trade with Qatar.
Doha signed a transportation agreement with Turkey and Iran in November 2017, which facilitated trilateral trade and increased exports to Qatar in the wake of the blockade.
In March, the International Monetary Fund said the effect of the blockade on economic activity in Qatar had been “transitory”, as new trade routes were quickly established and growth remained positive.
Qatar’s emir recently thanked Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani for his country’s support during the Arab crisis. In a telephone conversation on May 17, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and the Iranian president also discussed ways of boosting relations between the two countries, according to a statement from Qatar News Agency.
Sheikh Tamim “expressed his gratitude to the Iranian president for Iran’s stance towards the siege imposed on Qatar and its contribution to alleviate its economic impacts, particularly by opening its airspace and territorial waters”.
