Iran and Belarus Strengthen Agricultural Ties
In a recent dialogue between Gholamreza Nouri Qezeljeh, Iran’s Minister of Agriculture, and Belarusian counterpart Yuri Gorlov, the pair stressed the importance of bolstering agricultural collaborations. Taking the time to thank Belarus for its position during the conflict incited by the Zionist regime, Qezeljeh iterated Iran’s eagerness to enhance bilateral relations in fields like mechanization, animal husbandry, dairy industries, and jointly pursued chemical fertilizer initiatives. He also intimated that Iran stands ready to boost the export of agricultural commodities, such as fresh and dried fruits, and vegetables, to its Belarusian partners.
At the same instance, Gorlov, Belarus’s agriculture helmsman, re-emphasized his country’s advocacy of Iran’s fundamental viewpoints. He extended his gratification towards the proactive involvement of the Iranian Ministry of Agriculture in the yearly agricultural exhibition hosted this year in Minsk, Belarus’s capital. He further put forth his contentment at the steady advancement of agricultural symbiosis between both nations.
As an ensuing course of events from the discussions, in view of the impending visit to Minsk by Iran’s head of state, it was mutually agreed upon that a trio of cooperative documents would be endorsed. The realms of these documents extend to areas such as veterinary and animal quarantine, forestry, and agricultural exploration, which are planned to be sanctioned in the margins of the forthcoming diplomatic tour.
On the heels of this diplomatic engagement, Iran activated its Trade Center in Minsk, taking place in the latter half of January with the inspecting presence of Mohammad Atabak, Iran’s overlord of industry, mining, and commerce. The inaugural event of this center saw the participation of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization’s deputy heads. A discussion was held, during which, Iranian business delegates from Belarus were present, evoking proposals for easing commercial interaction between the two states.
A significant interaction took place at the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) on the 22nd of January. This saw TCCIMA Chief, Mojtaba Najafi Arab, engage in conversation with the Belarussian ambassador in Iran, touching upon prospects for enhancing economic and commercial alliances.
The pair underscored the significance of the freshly ratified free-trade treaty between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), asserting this protocol to be a fresh entry-point for boosting Iran’s commerce within the Union’s framework. The possibility for potential synergy between the commerce chambers of Tehran and Minsk was also acknowledged, a move that would work towards molding the economic ties binding Iran and Belarussian, a member of EAEU.
They collectively acknowledged the subpar trade volumes currently holding between Iran and Belarus. However, they also recognized the considerable industrial and fiscal potential that both nations possessed. They stressed how vital it was to exploit the available opportunities for amplifying economic connections. The Tehran and Minsk commerce chambers could establish themselves as crucial infrastructures for pinpointing investment possibilities, nurturing trade partnerships, and promoting credible companies from both territories.
An idea was tabled to forge a Tehran-Minsk Economic Collaboration Council. This body would be tasked to address challenges, unearth opportunities, and facilitate the engagement of the private sectors within the two nations.
Earlier in December 2024, during a conversation between Samad Hasanzadeh, the chief of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA), and the Belarussian ambassador to Iran, Hasanzadeh emphasized the urgency of uplifting bilateral financial exchanges via mutual methodologies and using local currency denominations.
He welcomed Belarusian investors to look into joint ventures in sectors such as pharmaceutical, medical equipment, animal husbandry, and dairy products, citing the secure investment climate within Iran. In addition, he highlighted the prospect of tourism, putting forward measures to simplify the visa procedures for tourists and business personnel and initiating direct flights, in order to foster interpersonal ties.
The ambassador summarized plans to broaden their economic rapport, featuring the establishment of a collaborative trade house in Minsk. This initiative would be part of the joint economic commission between the two countries, thus highlighting the shared commitment to developing robust economic relationships.