New opportunities emerging for investors: Pezeshkian

TEHRAN – Iranian president pointed to the country’s active presence in BRICS, SCO, and EAEU, and emphasized that these diplomatic interactions strengthen economic relations with neighbors and create a large market and new opportunities for merchants and investors.

Ashgabat to host 16th ‘Iran Project’ exhibition in late January 2026

TEHRAN – The 16th edition of the specialized Iran Project exhibition, focused on engineering and technical services, will be held in Ashgabat from January 28 to 30, 2026, after receiving official authorization from the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO).

Iran inks 6-nation pact in Istanbul, bolstering its role as key transit gateway

TEHRAN – Iran, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey signed a multilateral agreement in Istanbul aimed at expanding rail freight movement along the southern branch of the Eurasian transit corridor, reinforcing Iran’s position as a core gateway for container traffic between China and Europe.

Iran to establish independent free-zone bank under new economic reform plan

TEHRAN - Iran plans to create an independent banking system dedicated to its free trade zones as part of a broader effort to overhaul the country’s economic governance, the economy minister said, adding that free zones will serve as the launchpad for structural reform.

IDRO launches Pilot overhaul program for aging industrial units in 6 provinces

TEHRAN – Iranian Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO) has begun a pilot program to renovate and modernize aging industrial units across six provinces, with officials saying nearly 200 factories have already registered to participate.

Tehran hosting major steel, metallurgy fair with over 700 exhibitors

TEHRAN – Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds is hosting the 22nd edition of Iran's international exhibition of metallurgy, dubbed IRAN METAFO, bringing together more than 700 domestic and foreign companies in what officials describe as the country’s most significant annual gathering for the steel and metals sector.

Kohak project an example of effective co-op between S. Korea, Iran: South Korean ambassador

TEHRAN- South Korean Ambassador to Iran, Kim Junpyo, emphasized the continuation of cooperation with Iran in environmental and social projects, and stated that the implementation of the "Kohak" rural wastewater project in Sistan-Baluchestan province is a successful example of effective and friendly cooperation between South Korea and Iran.

Tehran, Beijing outline housing cooperation roadmap ahead of planned MOU

TEHRAN – Iran’s Transport and Urban Development Ministry said officials from Tehran and Beijing have begun drafting a housing and construction cooperation roadmap that is expected to form the basis of a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) to be signed during the Iranian president’s upcoming visit to China.

By Ebrahim Fallahi

Iran expands economic ties with Afghanistan with new trade, mining, energy initiatives

TEHRAN – Senior representatives from Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) and multiple Afghan economic bodies signed a series of cooperation agreements during a high-level visit to Kabul and the Imam Abu Hanifa International Exhibition, signaling a broad effort to expand trade, investment and technical collaboration across mining, agriculture, energy and healthcare.

Qeshm to host digital export development event

TEHRAN – The managing director of Qeshm Free Zone Organization said the island will host a Digital Export Development event known as “Q-Gate” on December 16–17, as part of a broader push to strengthen Iran’s digital economy and expand technology-based exports.

Iran eyes stronger foothold in Iraqi market with $20b trade goal

TEHRAN – Iran is seeking to expand its commercial presence in Iraq, with the Iran–Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce outlining a three-year target to raise bilateral exchanges to $20 billion, driven by Iran’s capacity to supply a broad range of consumer goods, food products and industrial materials.

Iran positions itself as central bridge for China–Europe rail corridor

TEHRAN – Iran’s transport minister said progress on the strategic Marand–Cheshmeh-Soraya railway is accelerating, paving the way for a continuous China–Europe rail route that would place Iran at the heart of a major new transit corridor.

Iran, South Korea discuss expansion of co-op in science, research, technology

TEHRAN – In a meeting aimed at strengthening academic and technological ties, South Korea's Ambassador to Iran, Kim Junpyo, met with Iran’s Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Farhad Yazdandoust, on Sunday.

Morteza Fouladi appointed as new managing director of NIDC

TEHRAN- The managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) appointed Morteza Fouladi as the new managing director the National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC).

Afghanistan seeks investment by major Iranian companies

TEHRAN- During a meeting between members of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA)'s trade delegation and the head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, the need to develop relations between the chambers of both countries was highlighted, and major Iranian companies were invited to invest in Afghanistan.

China footwear hub Jinjiang explores joint production with Tehran

TEHRAN – A trade delegation from Jinjiang, China – the country’s largest footwear manufacturing hub – visited the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) for direct meetings with the board members of Iran’s Footwear Industry Association, exploring opportunities for joint collaboration.

ICCIMA deputy head outlines measures to ease pressure on manufacturers

TEHRAN – A senior official at the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) said manufacturers are being squeezed by stagflation and a tightening liquidity crunch, warning that the dual pressures threaten production capacity unless urgent corrective steps are taken.

Iran-China trade could multiply if longstanding barriers are eased, business leader says

TEHRAN – Bilateral trade between Iran and China could grow several-fold if structural obstacles are addressed, a senior Chinese business figure in Tehran said, highlighting what he described as vast untapped economic and geopolitical potential between the two countries.

Foreign investment in Tehran stock market more than doubles in a year

TEHRAN – The total value of foreign investors’ portfolios in Iran’s stock market more than doubled over the past year, reaching over 210 trillion rials ($210 million) by the late October 2025, up from about 90 trillion rials ($90 million) a year earlier, official data show..

Iran, CACCI leadership discuss trade’s role in regional stability at Colombo meeting

TEHRAN – Ghadir Ghiyafeh, deputy head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), met with Peter McMullen, president of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), on the sidelines of the CACCI International Conference in the Sri Lankan capital.

Regional IOSCO meeting in Abu Dhabi highlights deeper capital market cooperation

TEHRAN – Regulators from more than 20 countries gathered in the United Arab Emirates for the annual meeting of the Africa and Middle East (West Asia) Regional Committee (AMERC) of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), where participants emphasized the need to expand cross-border collaboration and strengthen market oversight. Iran took part in all main sessions and underscored its commitment to regional engagement and alignment with international capital-market standards.

Self-sufficiency in home appliance industry increases 10% in a year

TEHRAN- As announced by the deputy of public industries at the Ministry of Industry, Mining, and Trade, the self-sufficiency of the home appliance industry has increased from 50 percent to 60 percent in the past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20).

Iran-Uzbekistan co-op comprehensive document prepared to be signed

TEHRAN- A comprehensive document on Iran-Uzbekistan cooperation has been prepared for the signing by the two countries' officials.

Iran’s renewable power capacity to reach 4,000 MW in 40 days

TEHRAN – Iran’s renewable energy capacity is hoped to reach 4,000 megawatts (MW) by the end of the next Iranian calendar month (December 21), according to Mohsen Tarztalab, deputy energy minister and head of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA).

Iran, Kuwait sign 5-point deal to boost trade cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran and Kuwait have signed a five-point agreement to expand trade and investment following the 13th Joint Trade Committee meeting in Kuwait, held after an 11-year pause, according to the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO).

Iran, Uzbekistan agree to expand investment in mining industries

TEHRAN – Iran and Uzbekistan have reached new agreements to strengthen trade and investment cooperation, particularly in mining and mineral industries, the Iranian Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade announced.