**The Need to Reduce Logistics Costs to Enhance the Competitiveness of Iranian Products**

Here is a formal English translation of your provided text:

According to the Public Relations Department of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO), Mohammad Ali Emami stated that in the field of foreign trade, there are several key issues that must be taken into account by both the government and exporters as well as policymakers, regardless of the type of export goods. He noted that customs, logistics, health, and technical matters are all raised within the framework of various standards. Exporters, in addition to these aspects, must also focus on marketing and other commercial dimensions, although the role of the TPO in this area is limited.

Referring to the importance of reducing logistics costs to enhance the competitiveness of Iranian products, Emami said: “The more we can reduce transportation costs, the more positive the impact will be on the competitiveness of our products in global markets. For instance, if rail transport costs three thousand dollars and air transport one thousand dollars, naturally, maritime transport can offer a stronger competitive advantage.”

The Director of the Logistics Office of the TPO further explained that around 80 to 85 percent of Iran’s exports are carried out by sea, while approximately 15 to 20 percent take place through non-maritime routes. “We are facing certain challenges in the maritime sector, some of which are due to restrictions and barriers arising from sanctions,” he said. “These sanctions prevent us from fully utilizing our port capacities, forcing us to export or import part of our goods through other ports and smaller vessels.”

Highlighting the challenges in road transportation, Emami said: “At land borders, we are facing serious management issues. The multiplicity of agencies and the absence of unified management have caused each organization to act independently, creating one of the major problems in the logistics sector. At times, our trucks are held up at border crossings for up to seven days, which not only increases transportation costs but also negatively affects the country’s exports.”

He added that the maritime sector requires further development but emphasized that, given the sanctions, such development must occur simultaneously with an increase in export volume to be effective. “Currently, the volume of exported goods is not at a level that causes ships to remain idle at ports,” he said. “Under current circumstances, our main priority should be resolving issues in the rail and road sectors. We need to strengthen the railway fleet, increase the number of wagons and locomotives, and improve management at border terminals.”

The Director General of the Logistics Services Office of the TPO stressed: “When trucks are held up at the borders, parking and delay costs are added to transportation expenses, all of which negatively impact exports. However, border conditions are not uniform and must be examined individually. One border may be functioning properly, while another faces serious problems. Overall, our main concern at present is border management.”

He also pointed to the difference between exports and imports, noting: “An export product must be produced according to the standards of the destination country, whereas in imports, domestic standards are the reference. Therefore, the target market must be clearly defined so that the appropriate standards can be observed. The destination country determines the type and level of standards required. For example, a product manufactured in China for the U.S. market is of very high quality, whereas for other countries, the quality level may differ.”

Source: ISNA

Would you like me to refine this further into a press release-style English version (more fluent and journalistic for publication), or keep it as this faithful, official translation?