Iranian media reports say Iran and Tajikistan have agreed to use local currencies for bilateral trade as they seek to increase economic and energy cooperation despite the United States’ sanctions imposed on Iran.
“Based on the agreements reached between Iran and Tajikistan, financial exchanges between the two countries in future will be carried out in national currencies,” said Iran’s Minister of Energy Reza Ardakanian on December 3 after a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Usmonali Usmonzoda in Tehran, according to Iran’s Press TV.
Ardakanian reportedly also said that economic and energy cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan was growing like never before, mainly as a result of sanctions which have caused Iran to focus more on investment and export opportunities in nearby countries.
“Maybe if the sanctions did not exist, we would not dedicate so much time and energy to regional issues and the neighbors,” said the Iranian minister who has led Iran’s efforts to expand trade relations with countries to the north, especially in the Eurasia region.
Press TV says the comments come as Tajikistan is trying to secure Iran’s technical and financial support for construction of a major hydroelectric dam in the country.
