The Necessity of Establishing a Permanent Exhibition of Iranian Products in Moscow

According to the Public Relations Department of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO), Mohammad Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, in a meeting with Kazem Jalali, emphasized the facilitation of trade affairs and stated: “Iran’s trade strategies with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Russia have become more prominent in recent years, and we are striving to expand our trade relations with Russia.”

He pointed to the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Iran and the EAEU, adding: “Russia plays a key role in the Eurasian Union; therefore, the TPO has placed promotional activities on its agenda to ensure an effective presence in this market.”

The Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade identified agricultural and food products as one of Iran’s main export groups to Russia in the past and noted: “At present, Iran’s exports to Russia have exceeded USD 1 billion, nearly half of which consist of industrial goods, indicating a positive shift in the composition and diversity of our exports to Russia.”

According to Dehghan Dehnavi, exporters in target markets should seek to move along the value chain toward higher value-added products. “For example, Iranian goods can find their place in major supermarkets and retail chains,” he said.

The Head of the Trade Promotion Organization also highlighted the potential for a strong Iranian presence in Russia’s construction materials sector and added: “Capable Iranian companies, by participating in Russian exhibitions, can pave the way for exporters to move up the product value chain. Moreover, permanent exhibitions of Iranian products can be established in Russia’s major cities.”

Building materials: Russia’s key market need

For his part, Kazem Jalali, Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, referred to the long history of trade relations between the two countries and said: “Iranian and Russian traders have been in contact for a long time, and today, opportunities for greater Iranian presence in Russia’s vast market exist, especially since many European companies have withdrawn from Russia following the Russia-Ukraine war.”

He emphasized that construction materials are currently Russia’s main market need and continued: “Establishing permanent exhibitions and organizing an ‘Iran Week’ in Moscow can create an all-encompassing platform for the presence and full introduction of Iranian products in Russia’s large market.”

It is worth noting that the meeting was attended by several directors and deputies of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran as well as private sector representatives, who presented some of the challenges and obstacles facing Iranian companies in the Russian market to the Head of the TPO and the Iranian Ambassador in Moscow.