Kazem Jalali, speaking at the opening of the 19th
IranPlast international exhibition, said exhibitions offer a key opportunity to
identify mutual capacities, especially in Iran and Russia’s markets, though he
noted that “economic actors of both countries still lack sufficient knowledge
of each other’s markets,” a gap rooted in a century of reduced interaction.
He said ties are advancing under a strategic
cooperation agreement signed by both sides, with further opportunities offered
by a free trade accord with the Eurasian Economic Union.
“Trade volumes between Iran and Russia are not
yet in line with the potential of the two countries,” Jalali said, stressing
that while governments set policies, the private sector must take the lead and
domestic barriers must be addressed seriously.
On energy cooperation, Jalali said gas transfer
has been a major focus in recent negotiations. “The issue was also raised
during President Pezeshkian’s recent visit to China in talks with Russia’s
president,” he said. “Now a delegation from Russia’s energy ministry will visit
Tehran soon to bring the negotiations into their final stage.”