Bojnourd: Iran’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan has announced plans to significantly increase the annual trade volume between Iran and Turkmenistan to $5 billion. Speaking at a specialized meeting on trade opportunities in Bojnourd, North Khorasan Province, Ambassador Ali-Mojtaba Roozbahani highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance trade relations between the two neighboring nations.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Roozbahani revealed that Iran’s current exports to Turkmenistan stand at approximately $100 million. However, there are strategic plans to elevate the annual trade figure to $3 billion, with aspirations of reaching $5 billion, contingent on favorable conditions. He noted the upward trajectory of bilateral trade, with current exchanges totaling $500 million.

The ambassador cited the stable political relations between the countries, emphasizing their secure borders and shared cultural, linguistic, and ethnic ties as a robust foundation for further cooperation. Roozbahani announced plans to establish two Iranian banks in Turkmenistan, aimed at simplifying financial transactions, including those conducted in rials, to facilitate smoother trade operations.

On the topic of visa policies, Roozbahani mentioned that while Turkmenistan enforces strict entry rules for many countries, it has notably relaxed procedures for Iranian nationals. He also advocated for the organization of specialized trade exhibitions in both countries and emphasized the importance of academic exchanges between border provinces to strengthen economic ties.