TEHRAN – Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) has called on private companies to take greater advantage of growing opportunities in Arab markets, a senior official said.

Abdolamir Rabihavi, director general of TPO’s West Asia office, said Arab countries rank among Iran’s most important trade partners, with Iraq standing as Iran’s second-largest partner and a key importer of machinery and food processing lines from Khorasan Razavi Province.

He also highlighted Qatar as another major Gulf trade partner. In coordination with the provincial industry and trade office and the Mashhad Chamber of Commerce, a business forum was held to showcase investment opportunities in Qatar.

The event, attended by Iran’s commercial attaché in Doha, introduced projects and marketing strategies for private companies seeking entry into the Qatari market.

Rabihavi said the goal of such forums is to support producers and exporters by familiarizing them with target markets and available government-backed opportunities. He added that identifying trade potential and briefing business associations on regional prospects is among the TPO’s main tasks.

He noted that similar events are being held across Iran to guide private-sector businesses on how to access foreign markets. Rabihavi also pointed to rising trade with Oman, citing the strong presence of Omani delegations at the Tehran International Building Industry Exhibition as an example of expanding bilateral cooperation.

In the spring season (March 20–June 21, 2025), Iran’s trade with its neighbors, including Arab countries, totaled $13.42 billion over approximately 23 million tons of goods. Exports accounted for $6.65 billion, with Iraq ($1.904 billion), UAE ($1.6 billion), Turkey ($940 million), Afghanistan (over $510 million), and Oman ($437 million) ranking as the main destinations.

On the import side, the UAE remained the largest supplier to Iran at $3.885 billion, followed by Turkey ($1.986 billion) and Oman ($223 million), with trade also rising with Qatar, Russia, and Turkmenistan by double digits.

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