According to Total News, quoted by the Iran Chamber, Mohammad Ali Mohammad Mirzaian discussed the obstacles and problems of Iran’s free trade with the member countries of the Eurasian Union and the member countries of the CIS Region and said, Although Iran has joined the Eurasian Union and can have free trade with these countries, in practice there are many problems in the way of cooperation.
Referring to trade obstacles, Mirzaian stated, one of the serious obstacles in the way of trade development is that for the direct export of products from Iran to Russia, Iranian businessmen must pay about 28% tax, therefore, most of these exports are indirectly exported from Iran to Armenia and Kyrgyzstan and from there they are re-exported to Russia. Paying a 28% tax and high tariff at the Russian customs is a big obstacle to trade with Russia, and the solution of this issue is in the hands of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this situation, we are forced to export our goods to Russia through a third country.
The Vice-Chairman of the Non-Oil Export Development Commission of the Iran Chamber said, Iranian goods are imported to the Russian market through Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, because the customs tariff is zero in these countries. Although we have been talking about the member countries of the Eurasian Union and trade opportunities with this country for a long time, we actually have a problem with returning currency in these countries due to the economic embargo. Of course, a number of companies have been introduced by Iran and Russia and they work together, but this possibility does not include small private sector companies. Iranian products such as pistachios and dates are well received in the member countries of the Eurasian Union, and we should take advantage of these opportunities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should provide platforms for cooperation.