Call for Formation of Committee to Improve Trade With Neighbors

President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday ordered the establishment of a committee to facilitate and improve trade with neighboring countries.
He was speaking at a meeting of the government’s Economic Coordination Taskforce where state entities updated him on commercial relations with neighboring countries.
Rouhani stressed the strategic importance of relations with neighbors, saying relevant organizations should work in an integrated manner under the committee to address any problem facing this sector to raise the level of trade exchanges, President.ir reported. 
"Relevant organizations have a task to give top priority to removing administrative obstacles in the way of trade ties with neighbors and address any disorganization in this regard," he said.
He also said his administration has attempted to improve the level of non-oil exports at a time when the country is under the most severe sanctions. 
Iran has been targeted by sweeping American sanctions since the United States pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal over two years ago. 
Earlier in September, Rouhani had said that promotion of economic cooperation with neighbors is a main priority in Tehran’s foreign policy agenda.
"One of Iran’s main priorities is to strengthen strategic relations with neighboring states, particularly in economic and trade sectors," he had said, adding that historical and cultural bonds among regional nations allow for enhanced cooperation that would consequently serve the common interests of regional governments and nations.
Foreign relations cover a much broader prospect than foreign policy, according to Rouhani, who urged all Iranian ministries to take the opportunity to establish and broaden foreign relations.