Iran Khodro, the country’s largest vehicle manufacturer, will export Iranian cars to Tajikistan, according to a press release from the company.
Following earlier agreements between the two countries, IKCO will be exporting 500 vehicles in the first stage of a larger business arrangement, IKCO Press said.
According to Saeed Tafazzoli, head of IKCO’s Exports and International Affairs, if the first step goes according to plan, the Iranian carmaker will start manufacturing vehicles in Tajikistan from complete knocked-down kits in collaboration with Tajik investors.
“While the Tajik side will provide investment and prepare the production line, IKCO will lend the technical know-how, engineering services and the CKD kits,” he said.
To expand IKCO’s international market, Tafzzoli said Tajikistan can become the company’s export hub to neighboring countries. Visiting IKCO’s factory west of the capital, Tajik Ambassador in Tehran Nematollah Imamzadeh noted that his country will lend the needed support so IKCO would manufacture vehicles in Tajikistan.
A formal invitation for cooperation addressed to IKCO’s CEO was submitted by the ambassador on behalf of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Energy and Industry.
During his visit to the company, Imamzadeh also toured IKCO’s assembly and auto body production plants.
The Tajikistan deal is a first for Iran Khodro, as it previously exported a limited number of vehicles to the Commonwealth of Independent States country direct from the Iranian production line.
IKCO’s main competitor, Saipa, has been far more aggressive in its approach to international markets, with their Saipa Pride becoming one of the best-selling cars in Iraq and Syria prior to 2013.
