Armenia and Iran explore simplified customs procedures for businesses

State Revenue Committee (SRC) Chairman Eduard Hakobyan held a meeting with Iran’s newly appointed Ambassador to Armenia, Khalil Shirgholami.

According to an SRC readout, Hakobyan congratulated the ambassador on his appointment and expressed hope that his tenure would contribute to the strengthening and development of the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, issues of bilateral cooperation aimed at facilitating cross-border trade flows between the two countries were discussed. In particular, the parties addressed the necessary and ongoing steps to launch a system for the exchange of advance electronic data between the customs services of the two countries. The introduction of a “Simplified Customs Corridor” at the Armenian–Iranian border was also discussed as a concept for creating more favorable conditions for foreign economic activity for law-abiding economic operators, as well as the advisability of mutual recognition of authorized economic operators and steps aimed at implementing the program.

The SRC Chairman noted that as a result of the reforms implemented, significantly higher levels of average daily cargo truck clearance have been achieved, and that, as a result of mutual agreements, a substantial increase has been recorded in the volume of trade turnover between the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Within the framework of the ongoing reforms, it is also planned to fully equip the border with new equipment over the coming year.

Ambassador Shirgholami thanked the Chairman for the warm reception and emphasized the importance of effective economic cooperation between Armenia and Iran in the context of developing bilateral relations.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties expressed their readiness to continue joint efforts to ensure the continuity of ongoing reforms and to promote the development of bilateral cooperation on agenda items.