Tehran, November 18 (MRUD NEWS)—During the opening session of the 17th Iran, Turkmenistan Joint Economic Commission, Iran Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazrpash, explained the transport initiative of Iran known as 'IRAN-RAH' which considering the increased relations between Iran and Turkmenistan can work as a route and as a solution for building a safe and economical transit and logistic corridor in the region.  

Turkmenistan has a particular position in this initiative as a gateway to Central Asia and along the East-West and North-South transport corridors. Accordingly, Iran can provide Turkmenistan with the access to the high seas through Chabahar Port and welcomes Turkmenistan's joining to the International North-South and Transport Corridor (INSTC) which promotes regional connectivity, Bazrpash said.  

Last year, trade between Iran and Turkmenistan had been $500 million; however, collaboration for removing transport and trade tariffs and the proposal of forming Sarakhs and Incheh Boron economic area would further increase it to $1 billion.  

In this visit, Iran negotiated over bartering technical and engineering services for gas and power exports to Iran.

Head of Iran Civil Aviation Organization, Mohammad Mohammadi Bakhsh, speaking of the potentials of Iran in the aviation industry said: for a long time, no Iranian airplanes are sent abroad for maintenance, and today Iran has become a destination for many countries to repair airplanes i.e. Latin America and Asia. This has been achieved in a situation where the aviation industry is under the most severe and unilateral US sanctions.

Currently, there are flights twice a week between Iran and Turkmenistan and to facilitate the presence of Iranian investors and companies in Turkmenistan, the number of flights between the two countries will be increased following bilateral negotiations.

Bazrpash also asserted that the two important side events of the 17th Iran, Turkmenistan Joint Economic Commission including the 15th 'Iran Project' Exhibition and joint commercial conference make a turning point in strengthening and developing comprehensive economic relations between the two countries as during the last two years, the determination of Iran and Turkmenistan to increase relations has been tangible more than in the past.