OREANDA-NEWS. February 15, 2011. Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Iran made up USD 609 million in 2010, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Keshavarzzadeh said quoting date of the Uzbek customs bodies.

Mohammad Keshavarzzadeh noted that Uzbekistan and Iran has good perspectives for development of relations. He added that inter-governmental commission on scientific-technical and trade-economic cooperation regularly holds session. Diplomat added that the eleventh session of the commission will take place in Tashkent this year.

Iranian envoy stated that the countries have great potential for development of cooperation, which currently is not used fully by the sides.

Keshavarzzadeh said that economic potential of two states can be used for development of Uzbekistan and Iran, as well as regional development.

Envoy underlined that Uzbekistan and Iran supplement each other. He said that Iran possesses modern technologies, while Uzbekistan has resources and cheap skilled work forces. According to him, the uniting efforts will serve for well-being of two states.

Mohammad Keshavarzzadeh said that huge number of Iranian businesses wish to investment into economy of Uzbekistan.

Ambassador stated that implementation of transport project Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman-Qatar will boost bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Iran. The project will become revolution in this area. He said the project will allow Central Asian states, Russia, China to access Persian and Oman Gulf.

Iranian envoy said that recently the agreement on cooperation in this direction has been agreed in Tashkent with representatives of five states.

Mohammad Keshavarzzadeh underlined that the project will also help to increase trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Iran up to USD 1 billion.

Speaking about perspectives of cooperation, envoy said that Iran is interested in oil supplies to Uzbekistan. He said that Iran could supply raw oil to refineries in Uzbekistan if there was necessary infrastructure [gas pipeline].

Iranian diplomat said that at fast development of automobile industry in Uzbekistan, the demand for fuel is increasing. If the pipeline is constructed in future, Iran could supply oil to Uzbekistan and neighboring states, he added.

According to envoy, Uzbekistan and Iran can also cooperate in oil-chemical sector. He underlined that joint projects in this sector can create new jobs.