Iranian Industry, Mining and Trade Minister Mohammadreza Ne’matzadeh and Asset Issekeshev, the Minister of Investments and Development of Kazakhstan, participated in the Kazakh-Iranian Business Forum in Tehran on February 7. In the meeting, Ne’matzadeh said Iran due to its strategic situation and access to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman can connect Kazakhstan to the world. According to the public relations office of Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO), the Iranian minister noted the geographically strategic situation of Iran and its connection with the Persian Gulf, the Caspian Sea, and the Gulf of Oman have given Iran an edge over other countries. “By using the geographical situation, Kazakhstan can improve its ties with the neighboring countries and the world,” Ne’matzadeh was quoted as saying in the forum. Referring to Kazakhstan’s connection to Iran, the Iranian minister said the country can connect to Iran through railways, shipping lines, and roads, Ne’matzadeh added that currently Inche-Boroun is one of the possible connecting ways between the two countries where Kazakhstan’s rail network can join Iran’s. The plan, according to Ne’matzadeh, is under consideration by Iranian Transport and Urban Development Ministry.  “A Memorandum of Understanding aiming at transferring crude oil had been signed between the two countries a couple of years ago, but due to the sanctions regime the project was stopped,”Ne’matzadeh was quoted as saying. Referring to the visit to Tehran of a 260-strong Kazakh trade delegation, the Iranian trade, mine and industry minister said this is the largest trade delegation from the central Asia ever dispatched to Iran and given strong and long-standing religious, cultural, and historical ties between the two countries, the visit contributes to the expansion of bilateral trade. “Over the past years Iran and Kazakhstan have inked memorandums of understanding to launch cooperation in a number of areas, which unfortunately did not bear fruit, a reason for which was the sanctions regime imposed on Iran. However, now the lifting of sanctions has paved the way for more collaboration between the two countries,” Ne’matzadeh said. Emphasizing the potential of the two sides to boost bilateral trade, Ne’matzadeh said Iran and Kazakhstan can benefit from the capabilities and advantages mutually. Ne’matzadeh also recommended Kazakhstan to build quays and ports so as to accelerate establishing ties with Iran as other countries have been considering the approach. As his concluding words, Ne’matzadeh stated the two sides have decided to form two technical and executive task forces with the aim of looking into possible hindrances and signed agreements. Kazakhstan guarantees Iranian businessmens’ interests: Kazakh minister Asset Issekeshev, for his part, stressed that Iranians are Kazakhstan’s trustable partners and there are new motives behind his country’s decision to expand ties with Iran. A highlight in the Kazakh minister’s address was his emphasis on the necessity of boosting trade and economic ties between Iran and Kazakhstan. “In order to increase trade with Iran, the Ministry of Investments and Development of Kazakhstan will provide Iranian firms with whatsoever permits they require,” he said. Also, the Kazakh minister reminded that his country is mulling offering a 30-percent subsidy to incentivize investors to get back to Kazakhstan, noting that as many as 900 companies have been founded in Kazakhstan, through which expansion of ties with Iranian businessmen can be strengthened. Scratching the surface of logistic hurdles between the two countries, Issekeshev saw it necessary to address the issue in order to facilitate relationships between the two sides’ traders. At the end of his remark, Issekeshev pointed to his country’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), saying Kazakhstan is in good, constructive terms with Russia and other Central Asian states which can help Iran develop its ties with the countries, too. Following the addresses delivered by the officials, Kazakh traders and their Iranian counterparts exchanged ideas on their concerns in the fields of tariffs, issuing of visa, project financing, etc. Face-to-face discussions were held, as well.According to the public relations office of TPO, Asset Issekeshev, heading a trade delegationwhich included six governors-general, visited Iran. Parts of the delegation are active in a wide range of industries, including chemicals and petrochemicals, oil and gas, constructional materials, agriculture, foods, electronics, mechanics, textile and leather, transportation, mining and metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, financing and banking, management, and engineering. President Hassan Rouhani visited Kazakhstan in 2014, while his Kazakh counterpart is scheduled to visit Iran in May 2016.  ​