Tehran - An Iranian economic official has announced that Iran and Oman plan to launch a direct shipping line between the two Persian Gulf states by the end of February.
Mohsen Zarrabi, Head of Iran-Oman Chamber of Commerce made the statement in an exclusive interview with Monday's edition of 'Iran Daily'.

"Launching a direct shipping line is on the agenda of Iran and Oman, and maritime trade interaction will begin by sailing ships between Oman's Sohar port and Iran's Bandar Abbas port," Zarrabi added.

More vessels will join the line to increase the cycle of maritime transportation between Iran and Oman, said the official, noting that ships will dock at other main Iranian and Omani ports in the near future.

"Sohar is a modern port in Oman that has good infrastructure for business and facilities for traders.

In Oman's free trade zones such as Sohar, our traders can register their companies with 100 percent Iranian shares," he said.

The official added that the line will help development of economic cooperation between the two states.

In the past, the traders were forced to charter ships to export their goods to Iran or Oman.

Iran-Oman trade volume
He added: "the volume of trade between the two states will overtake trade volume between Iran and the UAE in the near future."

"Oman will become a hub for re-export of Iranian goods in the region," Zarrabi said.

He noted that the chambers of commerce and embassies of both states have tried to develop the infrastructure needed for boosting economic ties.

A direct daily flight line was launched between Iran and Oman that has a positive impact on the exchange of passengers and cargos between the two Persian Gulf states, the official said.

He noted that most of seats of the flights are being booked, showing an increase in the number of passengers travelling between the two states.

Omani visitors
"Most of the Omani passengers visit Iran for tourism, medical treatment and business," he said.

Zarrabi said that Iran and Oman have agreed to ease visa requirements for traders of the two countries as well as banking transactions.

In October 2014, Iran and Oman signed six memorandums of understanding to boost commercial ties.

Oman was the 21st biggest importer of Iranian non-oil goods in the previous Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20, 2014, according to the Iran Customs Office.

Iran exported $145.8 million of non-oil goods to Oman and imported $441.7 million of non-oil goods from the country.

By Zawya
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