The Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a meeting with the business delegation from the Province of East Azerbaijan (Islamic Republic of Iran).
"Our countries are united by a long-standing, mutually beneficial cooperation," said Mr. Vladimir Platonov, the President of the MCCI, in his welcoming speech. I know this country well. I used to study at the PFUR, where students from Iran studied with us.
“When I headed the Moscow Parliament for over 20 years, we visited Iran with an official delegation.” The Hhead of the Chamber noted that since the MCCI is a part of the system of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, as well as of the global ecosystem, it has opportunities to bring the information received during the visit about the requests and needs of Iranian entrepreneurs, both to the MCCI members and to regional and municipal Chambers.”
The Governor of East Azerbaijan, Mr. Abedin Khoram, noted that the delegation includes representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the region, free economic zones, major enterprises from such industries as mechanical engineering, food production, petrochemical industry, logistics, tourism, etc.
He expressed confidence that holding joint events will promote better mutual understanding and establishment of business ties, development of economic potential of the two countries, as well as investments in the economies of Moscow and East Azerbaijan.
The Chairman of the Tabriz Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Younes Zhaeleh, reported that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, headed by him, is one of the first established in the country and has been working continuously for more than 100 years. "The biggest entrepreneurs of our region have gathered in this hall today," he said. Mr.Zhaeleh voiced several priority requests of the Iranian guests during the meeting.
Among them - the intention to buy grain from Russia, to enter the chain stores to supply directly Iranian goods; he also voiced a request for assistance in registering companies and opening bank accounts in Russia. "There should be fondness on both sides," said the Head of the Tabriz Chamber of Commerce and Industry, "so we look forward to mutual cooperation and rapprochement with each other.”
Mr. Nikolai Mashkov, the Chairman of the MCCI Commission for Foreign Economic Cooperation with partners in Iran, thanked the Iranian Embassy in Russia and its Economic Department for their assistance in organizing business meetings with Iranian businessmen, which then lead to concrete cooperation
"Moscow is the gateway to Russia. The main trade deals take place here. Moscow itself is the largest economic center, but at the same time it plays a unifying role for the business of different countries and regions.” Mr. Mashkov said that the Commission's specialists are ready to introduce Iranian companies directly into grocery retail and networks that sell electronic products. In addition, they are ready to help register companies, open accounts and provide legal and organizational support to Iranian businessmen.
At the meeting, a film was shown, which tells about history, geographical and economic potential of East Azerbaijan. In addition to a well-developed industry, agriculture and agro-industrial processing, transportation infrastructure and the availability of free economic zones, it is distinguished by beautiful, picturesque nature, historical monuments (1800 in total, of which 2 are included in the UNESCO list) and ancient history.
A representative of the Vyksa metallurgical plant spoke at the meeting and outlined the main directions that may interest the Iranian partners in the development of business contacts. Iranian entrepreneurs, involved in products for oil refining, machine building and packaging industries also presented their companies at the meeting.
Mr. Platonov concluded: "Thank you very much for this productive meeting. We have been friends for a long time, but now that unprecedented sanctions have been imposed on our countries, working together will allow our countries to develop independently and only grow stronger. This is the wish of our peoples and our leaders.
Delegation's visit will have included B2B negotiations between Iranian and Russian companies on June 30.