Hong Kong Eyes Closer Maritime Cooperation with Tehran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An official with Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) said closer business ties with Iran following a lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers would enable the city to tackle the downturn in the seaborne sector.
"A lot of people have been dealing with Iran through third parties," said Stephen Wong of the HKTDC.
"Now that sanctions are taken away, Hong Kong will benefit ... I'm sure that the trade will grow,” he added.
He further said freight activity with Iran was expected to include multiple areas such as food products and consumer goods.
Hong Kong, one of the world's biggest container ports, expects to benefit from China's new Silk Road initiative aimed at developing trade and transport links across Asia and beyond.
In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced the new "Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Maritime Silk Road" initiative to connect stronger logistics networks with Asia, Africa and Europe by building more roads, railways and airports.
International interest in ties with Iran has been growing since Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14, 2015 finalized a comprehensive nuclear deal and started implementing it on January 16.
The agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), terminated all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran.
