The representatives of the “Azhdanak” company operating in Syunik region, carrying out cargo transportation and construction works, were also invited to the “Araks” free zone investment conference and the “Aras” product exhibition.
According to them, they have yet to decide in which field they will cooperate with Iranian business people, but they will find the expected economic benefits.
One of the goals of the forum organized in Kapan is the cooperation between Iranian and Armenian businessmen, says Ali Nabi, Deputy Executive Director of the “Araks” economic free zone. “Araks” economic zone is one of Iran’s seven free economic zones. It borders Armenia in the Norduz-Meghri section and is the most industrialized area among Iran’s 12 free zones for oil, petrochemical, metal industry, electricity, electronics, cosmetics, food, wood and handicrafts, bags, leather and footwear, clothing, automobile, pulp, detergent in the fields of means. With a turnover of 3,000 million dollars and more than 300,000 tons of products, “Arax” includes more than 65 percent of the production of Iran’s free economic zones.
Kitchen and household products, cleaning and laundry products, leather and ceramic products, sweets, and building materials – the representatives of the free trade zone of the Islamic Republic of Iran “Araks” displayed their products in the Kapan culture center.
“All the Armenian consumer sees here is only 20 percent of the brands we produce. If we brought them all, there would be no room here. The quality is not inferior to European products. In terms of price, our products are 80 percent cheaper than products from European countries and Turkey,” says Ali Nabi.
Kapan community leader Gevorg Parsyan emphasizes the strengthening and deepening of centuries-old Armenian-Iranian relations, especially the development of economic interaction. “Of course, it is difficult to compare the economies of Iran and Armenia, but to the extent that the Iranian market is of interest to us, I think that the Armenian market is also interesting for Iranian small and medium-sized enterprises with its possibilities,” said the head of the community.
According to the Iranian side, it is beneficial for the Armenian investors to operate in the “Araks” free economic zone. According to Ali Nabi, the transportation costs will be low, and the area will be closed. “Furthermore, raw materials are very cheap in our country because the electricity tariff in Iran is cheap, which affects the cost of general goods.
Also, not only Armenians but also all businessmen who would like to start a business in the “Araks” free economic zone will be provided with a space for free use and exempted from customs duties,” Ali Nabi presents the terms to the Armenian investors.
“We had many discussions with the head of the Kapan community to implement joint projects in both cultural and economic aspects. This conference and exhibition is one of those programs, which will be expanded in the future,” said the Consul General of Iran in Kapan, Morteza Abedi Sandali, at the conference’s opening.
Mino Mohammad’s company is engaged in carpet making. They are sure to start joint production of Armenian carpet weaving and Iranian carpet weaving.
Within two days, some are interested, but the negotiations and discussions are still ongoing. It may not be the only cooperation; the conference organizers were convinced.
Armen DAVTYAN
