The trade turnover of the Republic of Tatarstan and Iran may double this year, amounting to $ 400 million. This point of view was expressed by the President of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mines and Agriculture Gholam Hossein Shafei at a press conference at the XIV International Forum "Russia - the Islamic World: KazanForum 2023".

"Russia and Iran are experiencing a flourishing relationship, which is unprecedented. All spheres of relations can get serious development," Shafei is sure. He noted the importance of the summit for the development of relations with the Islamic world as a whole.

Gholam Hossein Shafei noted that business is counting on the state's assistance in developing infrastructure for cooperation. "The Republic of Tatarstan can play a very important role in the development of relations between Russia and Iran, since, for example, the Volga River flows through its territory, providing direct access to the Caspian Sea," Shafei said.

First Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tatarstan Artur Nikolaev confirmed that both Russia and Iran have an interest in developing cooperation. "Just the other day I received a call from a neighboring region with a request to assist in establishing contacts. That is, Tatarstan is becoming a kind of hub," he said.

The North-South international transport corridor project plays an important role in strengthening Russian–Iranian relations, as logistics ties have undergone drastic changes against the background of sanctions, Nikolayev noted. It is also necessary to facilitate customs procedures and the issue of financial settlements, which are now difficult.