Iran, Tajikistan sign railway transit deal, launch new chapter in bilateral co-op

Iran and Tajikistan have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance bilateral rail transport, enabling the use of Iranian freight wagons on Tajikistan’s railway network, Iran’s railway authority announced.
The agreement was signed by Jabar Ali Zakeri, deputy transport minister and head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, and Mirzoali Komil Jumakhon, head of Tajikistan’s State Unitary Railway Enterprise.

Aimed at optimizing existing capacities and boosting international freight movement, the deal also allows Iranian wagons to transit beyond Tajikistan to other regional railway networks.

Three more co-op documents exchanged in Iranian VP’s visit to Dushanbe
During the official visit of Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref to Tajikistan, four cooperation documents were exchanged in the presence of Aref and Tajikistan’s prime minister.

According to the Iranian presidency, the documents included:
– A memorandum of understanding between Iran’s Institute of Labor and Social Security and Tajikistan’s Research Institute on Labor, Migration, and Employment;
– An MOU to establish a joint Iran-Tajikistan Technology Center, signed between Iran’s Vice-Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy and Tajikistan’s Agency for Innovation and Digital Technology;
– A debt settlement agreement between Iran’s Farab Company and Tajikistan’s Ministry of Energy.
– A joint statement by the Iran’s first vice president and the prime minister of Tajikistan was also signed.

Aref arrived in Dushanbe on May 29, at the head of a high-level delegation for bilateral talks and to attend the International Conference on Glacier Preservation.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian concluded his two-day official visit to Tajikistan in mid-January, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations with the signing of 23 agreements across various fields.

The agreements, aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges, highlight the commitment of both nations to overcoming obstacles and expanding collaboration. During the visit, Pezeshkian emphasized the potential for trade to exceed $500 million and announced plans for a joint economic commission meeting in the near future.
Key moments of the visit included bilateral talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, focusing on fast-tracking joint projects and removing trade barriers. The presidents hailed the agreements as a foundation for further cooperation in science, education, transportation, and agriculture.

Pezeshkian addressed Tajik academic circles, stressing Iran’s commitment to global health and rejecting violence and conflict. The visit also featured discussions with top Tajik officials, including the prime minister and parliamentary leaders, to facilitate trade agreements, including a preferential trade pact. The visit culminated in a shared vision for deepened partnerships, with both countries expressing readiness to remove remaining barriers to trade and investment.

Also, a high-ranking Iranian trade delegation, comprising members of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) and led by Chamber Head Samad Hassanzadeh, departed Tehran for Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, on January 14.
The delegation was accompanied by Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri, underscoring the multi-faceted nature of the visit, the ICCIMA portal reported.

Upon arrival in Dushanbe, Iranian and Tajik economic leaders convened for a joint forum aimed at enhancing bilateral trade relations. In this gathering, Hassanzadeh emphasized the extensive cultural and historical ties between Iran and Tajikistan as a foundation for deepening economic cooperation.

He highlighted key sectors such as petrochemicals, oil and gas, medical equipment, and tourism as areas ripe for collaboration. “Beyond economic discussions, we can leverage our shared heritage in literature, science, and the arts to expand mutual ties. Tajikistan offers a strategic platform for Iranian investors and businesses seeking to access Central Asian and Eurasian markets,” Hassanzadeh stated.

The forum witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding between Iranian and Tajik companies, paving the way for increased joint ventures. Attendees also participated in one-on-one discussions to explore potential partnerships. Hassanzadeh noted that Iranian businesses have the expertise to contribute to Tajikistan’s industrial development, including projects in steel production, refineries, and advanced technologies.

Highlighting Iran’s capabilities, the ICCIMA head remarked, “We possess competitive pricing and innovative solutions, making us a strong partner for Tajikistan in sectors like engineering services and exports of building materials, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals.”