In an exclusive interview with an IRIB correspondent, stating that our exports to 15 neighboring countries are currently about $ 25 billion, Mr. Hamid Zadboom added, "We can import up to about $ 100 billion of items that neighboring countries import and that we have an export history in order to increase the amount of exports."
He said, "Pakistan can be our largest export target. Currently, our official exports to Pakistan are between one and two tenths of a billion dollars to one and a half billion dollars, while our export capacity to Pakistan is about $ 16 billion. However, many of our exporters do not go to the markets of this country."
The Head of the Trade Development Organization said, "After Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia and other neighboring countries have high capacities for the exports of Iranian goods to these countries, so we focused on the market of these countries to develop trade with them through official channel."
Mr. Zadboom also said, "Our border markets and border residents whose number is about seven million, are only involved in low export figures, but to develop exports in large figures, we need to move towards formal trade and beyond border markets. At the same time, we would like border markets to operate only within their limit in order to create prosperity at the borders, while we also welcome the export of border residents with a valid business card."
He added: "Some neighboring countries as our trading partner believe that goods that are not much considered by the two countries of origin and destination of export are moved in border markets, so they do not welcome trade exchanges through border markets."
"Mr. Zadboom said, "Last year, out of about $ 25 billion of our exports to neighboring countries, the share of border residents and retailers was less than $ 2 billion, and it may not be more than that, because their export methods and sales are traditional and cross-border, which cannot cover large figures".
The head of the Trade Development Organization pointed to the establishment of national and commodity desks for the development of exports to neighboring countries and said, " At the national table where there is a community of various government institutions, we discuss the issues related to the export to that country and find a solution for it so that follow-ups can be done, for example, if we hold a Russia table, we invite all relevant government entities, the private sector, the chambers of commerce and exporters to consider issues related to the exports to this country".
Mr. Zadboom added, "In the merchandise table, we review and categorize issues related to the export of goods such as hand-woven carpets, textile products, clothing and saffron with the presence of government institutions, the private sector, the chambers of commerce, cooperatives and guilds. If possible, we will resolve the issue there. But if it is necessary and we cannot solve the issue at that commodity table, it goes to the Cabinet, the Supreme Export Council or the Supreme Economic Coordination Council to resolve the obstacles and bottlenecks for the export of these goods to the target countries".
He continued, "In the export of agricultural products, we may need a series of infrastructures, which should be resolved in numerous meetings, such as the transportation of agricultural products, which is discussed at the table of agricultural products."
Mr. Zadboom, stating that the task of the Trade Development Organization is to remove barriers to exports, said, "In 2020, except for one or two cases, we have not had new duties and export bans, while we try not to have them from now on, but in some cases that the Market Regulation Headquarters may make decisions to regulate the domestic market, this headquarters will submit proposals to us as the Export Management, and we will decide on it in the coordination with the Export Management Working Group and the Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade."
He said: "In the decision-making process, we try not to affect the regular exports of some industries as much as possible, so that if we have to impose export restrictions, we will help the exporter who has a pre-concluded contract or goods on the way for exports to fulfill his commitments and export the goods in question."
Regarding the use of the country's transit capacity, the head of the Trade Development Organization said, "One aspect of using the transit capacity is to open the transit route inside the country and pave the way for travel, because this issue, in addition to generating revenue for the country, is also considered an opportunity for trade. If we do not use this capacity, we will be removed from transit routes and gradually from the international economic cycle."
Zadboom said, "On the other side of the coin, some goods that are transited from the country may harm the market of our goods in other countries, so we must be prudent and careful and check so that transit goods do not affect our exports. Of course, according to good planning of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and the Deputy Minister of Transport of this ministry, we hope that we will both be able to open the transit route and not be removed from the transit cycle and international routes."