Russia and Iran: The Trade and Investment Dynamic 2023/24 – Russia Briefing News

Bilateral trade up 20% in twelve months, mutual investments increasing

By Emil Avdaliani

In many ways Russia and Iran find themselves in a similar geo-strategic position. Both are heavily sanctioned by the West and pursue a set of policies which aim at bolstering their respective influence on their regional, if not global stage. They also work to diminish the collective West’s ability to shape the world order and limit Eurasian powers’ projection of power. These wider incentives serve as a major driver behind the expanding cooperation between Russia and the Islamic Republic. Given the sanctions imposed on Russia and the latter’s wide-ranging attempts to re-orient trade from the EU to Asia, Iran stands to benefit significantly. This has already been evident throughout 2022 in terms of growing bilateral trade or mutual investments. The trends indicate the figures are likely to grow in 2023 and much beyond.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Trade

In 2022, the trade turnover between Russia and Iran increased by 20% and amounted to US$4.9 billion. Existing trends indicate that the bilateral trade will continue to grow in 2023 beyond. Russian officials even suggested that it would be possible for two countries to reach a staggering US$40 billion mark in bilateral trade.

Since 2019, an interim Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been in force between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Supposed to expire in October last year, it was extended until 2025 or until the entry into force of a new agreement on a permanent free trade regime. In January 2023, the EAEU and Iran signed an agreement to create a free trade deal which is expected to come into force by the end of the year.

Russian exports to Iran mainly consist of metals, food and agricultural raw materials, equipment and vehicles, products of the chemical industry and others. Imports from Iran are made up of food and agricultural materials, pharmaceutical products, textiles and footwear, various machines and similar items.

Following the visit of deputy prime minister of Russia, Alexander Novak, to Iran in May 2022, it was announced that the two countries agreed to switch to trade settlements in Rubles and Rials as much as possible, and also discussed the possibilities of operation of Shetab and Mir payment cards. A year later Russian officials claimed that around 80% of trade settlements between Russia and Iran are carried out in their respective national currencies. The remaining 20% is in US Dollars and Euros with even this expected to be supplanted by the Chinese Yuan in the future.

In 2023, Russian and Iranian media reported that Russia and Iran were discussing the development of a common stablecoin – a cryptocurrency backed by gold – often regarded by Russian and Iranian officials as a potentially viable alternative to the US dollar’s dominance in global trade.

Investments

In 2022 Russia became the largest foreign investor in Iran, contributing US$2.76 billion (investment into two oil projects) to the country’s economy, which is nearly 2/3 of the US$4.2 billion that Iran attracted in total. FDI into Iran generally is also increasing – the US$4.2 billion is in itself significantly higher than what was recorded in 2021 when Iran received US$1.45 billion in foreign direct investment. Iran’s recent rapprochement with Saudi Arabia will also be an FDI spur into the country.

By early 2022 the largest joint investment project between Russia and Iran was the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran. In June 2021, the implementation of another project to create a thermal power plant (TPP) Sirik in the province of Hormozgan in southern Iran began with Russian investment in the form of a state loan.

As Russia came under Western sanctions its push for closer investments ties with Iran became especially apparent by mid-2022. For instance, in July the National Iranian Oil Company and the Russian giant Gazprom signed a memorandum on energy cooperation which envisioned Russian investments of US$40 billion into Iran’s oil and gas industry. The Iranian side however has complained numerous times that only a small amount of the promised investment has arrived to date and that scheduled payments have been delayed.

Large scale cooperation likewise takes place around the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC), which aims at connecting Russia with the Global South and thus facilitating its re-orientation of trade from Europe to Asia. In May 2023 Russia agreed to make another a significant investment into Iran by financing the still incomplete 162-km-long Rasht-Astara railway section in the north of Iran. This will shorten the travel time for products from Russia to Iran and vice versa. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2027 and is being financed by the Russian side. The total investment amounts to US$1.6 billion, with work underway. As this is a key connectivity issue for Russia’s pivot to Asia, funding has noyt as yet been an issue.

The expansion of the much-touted corridor, however, has not yet come to full fruition. For instance, in 2022 about 14.5 million tons of cargo was transported along the western branch of the corridor (i.e via Azerbaijan), while 121 million tons were sent via the major Azov-Black Sea route. The difference is striking meaning that the INSTC, though it indeed has a significant potential, at the present is merely a route of regional significance rather than being a transcontinental corridor, an issue we discussed in part here. Modest expectations are that by 2030 total throughput through the western branch will reach 30 million tons per year, while total cargo transportation through

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7% gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries.
   • Indicator 8.1.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita.

   The article discusses the increasing bilateral trade and mutual investments between Russia and Iran. This demonstrates economic growth and the potential for job creation, which aligns with SDG 8.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
   • Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road.

   The article mentions the development of the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC) and the investment in the Rasht-Astara railway section. These infrastructure projects contribute to SDG 9 by improving connectivity and facilitating trade between Russia and Iran.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries.
   • Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

   The article highlights the cooperation between Russia and Iran in various areas, such as trade, investments, energy, and transportation. This demonstrates a partnership between the two countries and aligns with SDG 17.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: russia-briefing.com

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