Russian diplomat stresses role of chambers of commerce in broadening ties with Iran

Russian Consul-General in the Northern city of Rasht Maxim Baranov underlined the important role of chambers of commerce in the further expansion of the relations between Tehran and Moscow, specially in trade and economic fields. “Gilan’s Chamber of Commerce plays an important role in removing the problems and expanding the trade and commercial relations between the businessmen of (Russia’s) Astrakhan and (Iranian) Gilan provinces,” Baranov told FNA on Wednesday. He appreciated Gilan’s Chamber of Commerce for holding useful meetings, and said, “Such meetings will provide a good ground and possibility for the Iranian friends and cooperation between Iran and Russia.” Elsewhere, Baranov also said that the governor-general of Astrakhan plans to visit the Northern Iranian cities of Rasht and Sari in the near future. Iran and Russia have vast cooperation in different fields, specially in political and economic spheres. The two states also enjoy special positions on the international scene and have long had constant and regular consultations on key regional and global issues. In relevant remarks in February, the Economy and International Relations Minister of Russia’s Astrakhan region, Denis Aghanasiev, urged expansion of trade relations between Iran's Northern province of Gilan and Astrakhan. “Gilan and Astrakhan enjoy abundant capacities for developing economic relations,” Aghanasiev said in a meeting with Mayor of Gilan province’s capital Rasht city. He voice displeasure in the low volume of the trade ties between Iran and Russia, and said, “The people of Russia’s Astrakhan are highly interested in various Iranian products.” Aghanasiev underlined that increasing the volume of trade exchanges between Iran and Russia would lead to the further economic flourishing and advancement of Astrakhan and Gilan.