TEHRAN: It is expected that Oman will become an export hub of Iranian goods in the region, thereby overtaking trade volume between Iran and UAE, which is its second largest trade partner after China. Both countries to started direct shipping line that was in pipeline will be launched by the end of this month.
With the service, it is expected, Oman will become a hub for re-export of Iranian goods in the region, In an interview with an Iranian daily and reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Mohsen Zarrabi, head of the Iran-Oman Chamber of Commerce, said that launching a direct shipping line is on the agenda of Iran and Oman, and maritime trade will begin between Oman’s Sohar port and Iran’s Bandar Abbas port by the end of February.
More vessels will join the line to increase the cycle of maritime transportation, said the official, noting that other ports in both the countries will also be linked in the near future. “Sohar is a modern port in Oman that has good infrastructure for business and facilities for traders. In Oman’s free trade zones such as Sohar, our traders can register their companies with 100 per cent Iranian shares,” he said.
The official added that the line will boost economic cooperation between the two countries. In the past, traders were forced to charter ships to export their goods to Iran or Oman. “The volume of trade between the two states will overtake those between Iran and UAE in the near future. Oman will become a hub for re-export of Iranian goods in the region,” Zarrabi said.
He noted that the chambers of commerce and embassies of both countries have tried to develop the infrastructure needed for boosting economic ties. A direct daily flight that was launched between Iran and Oman has a positive impact on the exchange of passengers and cargo between the two countries, the official said.
He added that most of the seats on the flights are booked, showing an increase in the number of passengers travelling between the two countries. “Most of the Omani passengers visit Iran for tourism, medical treatment and business,” he said. He also said that Iran and Oman have agreed to ease visa requirements for traders.
In October 2014, Iran and Oman signed six memoranda of understanding to boost commercial ties. Oman was the 21st biggest importer of Iranian non-oil goods in the previous Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20, 2014, according to the Iran Customs Office. Iran exported US$145.8mn of non-oil goods to Oman and imported US$441.7mn of non-oil goods from the country.
