Iran urges quick expansion of trade in national currencies with Russia

Iran has called for a quick expansion of trade in national currencies with Russia amid efforts by the two countries to boost bilateral economic ties.

Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Mokhber said on Wednesday that increased use of national currencies in trade with Russia could lead to a big jump in trade exchanges between the two countries.  

Mokhber made the remarks while meeting Russia’s Presidential Aide Igor Levitin in Tehran.

He also said that an acceleration in efforts to finish the Rasht-Astara railway, a project along the Caspian Sea in northern Iran that relies on Russia’s financial aid, will cause a boom in trade and cargo transit between Iran and Russia.  

“Trade cooperation between Tehran and Moscow will not only serve the needs and interests of Iran and Russia, but it will meet the needs of the region and its markets and will lead to increased benefits for the two nations,” Mokhber was quoted as saying by the IRNA news agency.

Mokhber’s meeting with Levitin was the third such encounter between the two top officials since August.

It came as a senior delegation led by Russia's Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev was in Tehran to hold talks with Iranian government officials.

Levitin said during the meeting with Mokhber that Russia has strong plans to expand its economic and trade ties with Iran, adding that Moscow is particularly interested in investments that could boost transit of cargo through the Iranian roads and railways.

Levitin said Russian suppliers of agricultural equipment and bus manufacturers are eager to increase their presence in the Iranian market.

SS