On August 24, a meeting was held between the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Vice-President, Suren Vardanyan, the Commercial attache of the Iranian Embassy in the Russian Federation, Farhad Parand, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of the Iranian province of Mazandaran, A. Darabi.
The meeting was attended by the Head of the Department of International and Interregional Cooperation of the MCCI, Yuri Morozov, and the representative of the "Fruit Tap" company, Seyed Cord Heli.
The discussion centered on issues of cooperation between the Chambers of commerce and businessmen of the Moscow region and the province of Mazandaran.
Suren Vardanyan briefed the Iranian delegation on the status and prospects of the food supply of Moscow, the plans to build several large wholesale and retail food centers in the capital similar to the agrocluster "Food City". The Vice-President of the MCCI suggested combining Iranian outlets and companies in one area of the "Food City", including cafes, where one could sample Iranian products.
A. Darabi said Iranian business is ready to supply the Moscow market with fruit, vegetables, dairy products and seafood. He also requested the assistance in reducing the higher tariffs, as compared to other countries, on Iranian products. Suren Vardanyan noted that this requires decisions of the state legislative bodies of Russia and Iran. The MCCI, the Russian Chamber of Commerce are putting this matter before the Russian-Iranian intergovernmental commission and other viable levels. However, there are other obstacles to the revitalization of trade relations, especially in the area of settlements. It requires the development of a banking system.
Another important factor is the coordinated work of the Chambers of commerce in organizing visa support for Iranian and Russian businessmen, finding reliable partners and legal consulting for commercial contracts.
At the meeting it was agreed to continue the development of contacts aimed at the implementation of the issues discussed at the meeting with the assistance of the Commercial attache of the Iranian Embassy in the Russian Federation.