According to the Public Relations and International Affairs report of Sarkhs Special Economic Zone, in this visit, in addition to Ebrahim Nakhdi and his Turkmen counterpart Mehmet Goldif, Mahmoud Sadeghi, deputy of the Iranian Embassy in Turkmenistan, Abdul Majid Kamjo, Consul General of Iran in the city of Mari, Turkmenistan, Javad Jafari, customs supervisor Khorasan Razavi, Reza Rasti, Director General of Customs Transit Office, Dr. Mohammad Reza Brahmand, member of Sarkhs Special Economic Zone Board, etc. were present.
Facilitating the development of economic relations between Iran and Turkmenistan
During this visit, the vice president of development of management and human resources of Sarkhes special economic zone said: Sarkhes is located on the border with Turkmenistan and is the gateway of Iran to the CIS and the countries of Russia and China, therefore the development of relations between Iran and these countries will play an important role in increasing exchanges.
Mohammadreza Bohramand stated: We hope that with the activity of Sarkhes border around the clock in the near future, we will witness the development of relations and a significant increase in financial and economic relations between Iran and Turkmenistan.
He continued: With the 24-hour operation of Sarkhas Customs, it is expected that there will be a significant increase in the transit volume of sulfur shipments from Turkmenistan, the transfer of goods and cargo from China, and the transit of coal and fuel from Russia.
The Deputy Director of Management and Human Resources Development of Sarkhes Special Economic Zone called facilitating and smoothing the movement of transit trains and trucks at the border of Sarkhes as another advantage of the round-the-clock activity of this customs and added: With the realization of this task, we will soon see the scheduled arrival of China’s train to Iran.
He announced plans to operate 5 large production projects in Sarkhes Special Economic Zone by the end of this year and said: These plans include a fertilizer production plant with Turkish investment, two logistics complexes with joint investment of Iran and Afghanistan, a phosphate fertilizer production plant and a sulfur production unit with domestic sector investment.
Emphasizing the expansion of customs activities of Iran and Turkmenistan
In this visit, the deputy of the customs of Turkmenistan also expressed his appreciation for creating a suitable opportunity to get acquainted with the infrastructure and activities of the special economic zone and customs of Sarkhes. In addition to the activity of large production units, this area has extraordinary facilities that have made it a significant place in the transit of Iran.
Mehmet Goldif said: I hope that now that Sarkhes Special Economic Zone has become a free trade zone, not only the economic and trade relations between the two countries will develop, but also it will be able to make a significant contribution to trade exchanges with all countries in the region.
He considered the expansion of customs activities with all its neighbors, especially Iran, as the priority of Turkmenistan’s customs and said: In addition to important cultural and spiritual commonalities, these two countries have a common border of 1200 kilometers.
The deputy of the customs of Turkmenistan continued: We have been using Iran’s experiences in various customs fields for many years, and the implementation of large projects such as the construction of an international bridge on the border between the two countries, as well as the construction of railway lines and road connections, are proof of this claim.
Welcoming the 24-hour customs activity of Sarkhes Special Economic Zone, he noted: The realization of this will remove many restrictions and smoothen the transit between Iran and Turkmenistan.
Fern, a suitable capacity to become the logistics hub of the country
Referring to the location of this region at the gateway to the CIS countries, the deputy of the customs of the Islamic Republic of Iran said: Sarkhs Special Economic Zone is one of the few regions that is located in the best strategic location and borders with Turkmenistan.
Ebrahim Naqdi said: One of the most important advantages of this region is its unique infrastructure and extraordinary facilities, such as the presence of fifty kilometers of Central Asian wide rail, which, through the development of transshipment activities, can turn Ferns into the country’s logistics hub in the near future.
He continued: This area by road is also serving a high volume of trucks that are traveling to Turkmenistan and other countries through the Sarkhes border.
The deputy of customs of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated that all permitted goods can directly enter Ferkhs special economic zone without paying customs duties and added: Due to the congestion of trucks exiting this area, we are negotiating with Turkmenistan to return the trucks from the Bajgiran border.
He continued: The facilities and infrastructure of Sarkhes Special Economic Zone show that this area has the potential to develop foreign investments as much as possible, and we are even trying to make joint investments between Iran and Turkmenistan.
Naqdi referred to Sarkhas Customs as an economic border guard in the fight against goods smuggling in the east of the country and said: Most of the services provided in this field, the benefits and results of which will include the status of all countries related to transit.
