Iran, Turkey trade should reach $30 billion: Minister

ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency

Turkish Trade Minister Yazıcı (R), Iranian Ambassador to Turkey Bikdeli meet.

Turkey’s trade volume with Iran could reach $30 billion on the back of improving foreign trade volume, a Turkish minister has said.

Meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Turkey Ali Reza Bikdeli, Turkey’s customs and trade minister, Hayati Yazıcı, said the trade volume between Turkey and Iran was behind the potential, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

“We want to carry the trading volume one step further,” the minister said. “The two countries have great responsibilities and roles with regard to elevating our bilateral trading volume, which was $22 billion in 2012, to $30 billion in the forthcoming period. We, as the Customs and Trade Ministry, endeavor to achieve this target in consideration of works in revenue administration and reciprocal agreements in the field of customs between the two countries.”

Bikdeli said Iran was pleased with the level of cooperation between customs authorities while calling for even deeper collaboration.

Meanwhile, Yazıcı also highlighted how Turkish Cargo, an affiliate of Turkish Airlines (THY), had announced plans to launch cargo flights to Tehran.

The THY press agency said Tehran flights were scheduled at least once per week, starting tomorrow. Turkish Cargo’s freight network now reaches 46 international destinations with the addition of Tehran, it has said.