ArmInfo.No efforts aimed at promoting cooperation between Russian, Armenian and Iranian businesses will produce any results until three tasks are accomplished, Vigen Yenokyan of thee Russian Export Center in Armenia said at the session entitled "Russia-Armenia- Iran: new opportunities for trade and economic cooperation" on the sidelines of the International Industrial Trade Fair INNOPROM 2022 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
"The current geoeconomic situation affords new opportunities for developing Russian-Armenian-Iranian economic ties. The Russian export center is using all the instruments to help local producers to establish effective cooperation with local partners, including cooperation in supporting Russia's imports. However, three tasks have to be accomplished," Mr Yenokyan said.
The first task is reducing the import duties. The current rates are a serious obstacle to Russian companies' entry to the Iranian market.
A free trade zone between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) would b a solution.
Thee second task is upgrading the transport and logistic infrastructure.
"We are seeing positive changes in transit transportation along the North-South corridor. We hope for further cooperation between Russian and Iranian transport agencies and logistic businesses. Moreover, Armenia's involvement in the North-South corridor will make thee country an important transit hub and provide it with easier access to foreign markets," Mr Yenokyan said.
Thirdly, cooperation between Armenian, Russian and Iranian business communities is impossible without an inter-state payment system, which would enable prompt mutual settlements.