Pundits have explained the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Look to the East Policy in a seminar held by the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council and the Economic Diplomacy Think Tank of the University of Imam Sadeq (PBUH) in Tehran.
The two institutes organized the second preliminary session of a national conference of economic diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran titled “Asia-Oriented Economic Diplomacy” in the presence of Asghar Ebrahimi Asl, former Iranian ambassador to South Africa, Majid Reza Hariri, head of Iran-China Joint Chamber Of Commerce, Yahya Al Es’hagh, chairman of Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce.
Mehrdad Alepur, secretary of the meeting, pointed to lack of proper attention to economic diplomacy over four decades following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Change of Policy
Ebrahimi Asl underlined the need for reforming Iran’s policy when it comes to economic and political cooperation with China and other emerging powers, adding that ignoring the great opportunity for improving all-out ties with regional and Asian countries such as China, India, and Russia has had negative effects on economy and livelihood of the Iranian people.
Therefore, the administration of President Ebrahim Raisi is expected to change the existing paradigm and try to develop relations with emerging powers and member-states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), he added.
New Silk Road
Given the fact that Iran is in the way of east-west and north-south corridors, finalizing railways in the Islamic country can play a key role in expanding Beijing-Tehran ties, Ebrahimi Asl noted.
China and Iran can cooperate in nanotechnology, biotechnology, quantum economy, digital economy, petro-refineries, airspace, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles manufacturing, and other different fields, he said.
Let’s get rid of negative views
Al Es’hagh emphasized that reforming points of view on foreign trade is necessary to pave the way for conducting better collaboration with other nations.
He expressed hope that the 13th administration in Iran would change the existing attitude toward foreign trade and enhance economic diplomacy.
Impact of Politics on Economy
Hariri warned that part of Iran’s problems comes from the impact of political issues on economic exchanges.
Asking about proper interaction with 400 million people living in neighboring countries, he called for better relations with other nations to pave the ground for succeeding trade ties.
According to the economic activist, the vast continent of Asia will turn into the first economy of the world in the near future; thus, the Look to the East seems to be an appropriate policy, but it is important that Tehran should have a grand strategy in foreign economy and trade.
