Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance of Is : Details of Iran, China customs strategic partnership document released

Chinas Minister of Customs and President of Irans Customs Administration discussed the details of the strategic document of the two countries as well as executable solutions for reviving the Silk Road with a focus on Iran and China customs.

(SHADA: TEHRAN) -- According to the document signed by the Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance and the Minister of China Customs, bilateral customs cooperation will be developed in three areas: exchange of customs information, recognition of authorized economic operator (AEO), and capacity building and training.

Following the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his delegation to Iran, Yu Guangzhou Minister of China Customs along with a number of customs and trade officials met and talked with Masoud Karbassian Iran's Deputy Minister of Economy and President of Customs Administration.

China's Minister of Customs pointed to the volume of trade between the two countries in 2015 which was nearly $52 billion and said: Due to a sharp decline in oil prices, the development of non-oil trade between the two countries is important.

Referring to the Chinese government's project, 'one belt, one road', he said: I think this is a good opportunity for Iran and China to develop their economic cooperation.

Bilateral cooperation in the context of road transport with regard to the implementation of electronic customs in Iran such as e-TIR can be initiated and developed by the two sides, Yu Guangzhou added.

Stating that customs cooperation between the two countries in the fight against smuggling and forgery is important, he emphasized the development of mutual cooperation through electronic and online information exchange in order to combat and reduce trafficking.

Iran and China are two important members of the World Customs Organization and in addition to the expansion of bilateral customs relations they can provide multilateral cooperation in the region and the world, he noted.

According to the report, Massoud Karbassian, president of Iran's Customs Administration expressed satisfaction with the presence of senior Chinese officials in Iran and pointed to the historical record of trade between the two countries, said: the 17 documents signed during the visit of Chinese President indicate that we have a special look to China even after the lifting of sanctions and as the President of our country said we should increase our relations with China up to $600 billion within the next 10 years.

As to reviving the Silk Road project, Iran can play a strong and effective role in the implementation and development of the project, he added.

Saying that right now 150 Customs in Iran are connected electronically, Karbassian stated: We are in online contact with 40 neighboring organizations through the cross-border trade single window and we have managed to get information of all sea and air cargo imported into Iran before entering the country via the electronic manifest system.