Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade of Iran Reza Rahmani, during a meeting with the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov, emphasized that the realization of the trade and economic potential of the North-South corridor will connect the countries in the north of Iran with the countries located in its south near the Persian Gulf and North Africa. It opens up new opportunities for expanding trade cooperation between the states.

“Iran is ready to create a transit route for transporting goods from these countries to Uzbekistan without any restrictions,” he said.

He expressed hope that the 13th Summit on Cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan will be a turning point for strengthening mutual interaction.

Rahmani said the path to boosting economic relations with Uzbekistan is obvious, noting that signing a memorandum of understanding on preferential trade tariffs will pave the way for further improved cooperation.

“We plan to establish a direct line between Iran and Uzbekistan on an ongoing basis and use national currencies in financial transactions,” he said.

Rahmani arrived in Tashkent as the head of an economic delegation late Wednesday.

Earlier during a recent conference in Tehran, he said that Iran, as a member state of the North-South transport corridor, will link the Caspian states with Central Asian countries to strengthen trade relations.

The North-South transport corridor is a sea, rail and road route that is expected to facilitate and accelerate trade between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asian states.