Operationalize the potential for cooperation with Thailand in the fields of gold, steel, and fisheries

During the meeting of the Trade Facilitation and Export Development Commission of the Yazd Chamber with the presence of the Thai ambassador, it was stated: Capacities for Cooperation with Thailand in the Fields of Gold, Steel, and Fisheries should be operationalized

The meeting of the Trade Facilitation and Export Development Commission of the Yazd Chamber was held with the presence of the ambassador and commercial attaché of Thailand and the accompanying delegation.

Ways to expand commercial and economic cooperation with Thailand were discussed at this meeting.

At the beginning of this meeting, the Head of the Yazd Chamber of Commerce, while welcoming Pichit Boonsud, the Thai ambassador, and the accompanying delegation, stated that the export commission of the Yazd Chamber of Commerce has been formed with the aim of examining ways to expand and advance exports in the province’s advantageous economic sectors, including industry, mining, and agriculture, and expert proposals are reviewed in it to become operational plans for the province.”

Mojtaba Dastmalchian added that Yazd province has a high investment capacity in the fields of industry, mining, and agriculture and can be a reliable trading partner for Thailand. Among the attractive areas for developing bilateral cooperation are steel, gold and jewelry, and fisheries, which are considered advantages of Yazd province.”

Referring to Yazd province being selected as the tourism capital of the ACD member countries, he said: “Joint cooperation can also be used in the field of tourism.”

Dastmalchian emphasized: “Facilitating joint activities in the fields of tourism, industry, and agriculture can lead to the development of regional relations, which is naturally highly desirable for both Iran and Thailand.”

Capacities for Cooperation with Thailand Based on the Province’s Transformation Document

The director-general of the office for coordination of economic affairs of Yazd Governorate also referred to the Yazd Novin (New Yazd) document at this meeting, saying: “The province’s activities are carried out based on program-oriented documents. The Yazd Novin document is a guide for the province’s economic activities, which is organized in 14 development axes and focuses on the province’s growth.”

Mohammadreza Pakdel explained the axes of the Yazd Novin transformation document and said: “The first axis in this document is the knowledge-based economy and creative and innovative companies. The second axis, considering Yazd’s climatic and natural conditions, is the sustainable water supply for Yazd province and optimal consumption management and productivity.”

He also referred to the agricultural sector and said that modern agriculture is the next axis of this document. Despite facing water scarcity ecologically, Yazd is the second province in greenhouse production. We are willing to develop cooperation with Thailand in the fields of seedlings, saplings, seeds, and modern irrigation.”

Pakdel assessed Yazd’s conditions as very suitable for investment in solar energy and said: “With more than 330 days of sunshine, Yazd province is one of the best places for investment in solar energy in Iran.”

The director-general of the office for coordination of economic affairs of the governorate also referred to other axes of the transformation document, including capable and intelligent human resources, and added: “Considering that Yazd is located on the main route of the country’s industries, the development of rail transportation is also important to the province.”

Pakdel also pointed to Yazd’s position in the country’s industries and continued: “Yazd ranks first in the production of tiles and ceramics in the country, third in the production of steel products, second in sanitary ware, and first in the production of traditional gold in the country. Yazd province also ranks first in horse and quail breeding and tilapia farming, and third in camel breeding and pistachio production, second in greenhouse cultivation, seventh in saffron, eighth in dates, and fourth in pomegranates in the country. All these areas can be grounds for bilateral cooperation and joint investment between Yazd province and Thailand.”

Health tourism, especially in the field of infertility and various eye surgeries, as well as the province’s mineral status and the availability of conditions for investment in this industry, were other points that Pakdel mentioned.

Iran and Thailand’s Trade Balance Should Increase

The Head of the Industry, Mining and Trade Organization of Yazd Province referred to Yazd’s industrial and commercial capabilities at this meeting and said: “With the production of more than 50 percent of the country’s iron ore, Yazd province is one of the most important mining provinces in the country.”

Mohammad Kazem Sadeghian emphasized that in the field of decorative building stones, Yazd province ranks fourth in the country. Yazd province accounts for 27 percent of the production of textile products and 17 percent of the production of steel products.”

Referring to the high security of the province and its reliable private sector, he said that there is a very high desire for joint industrial and mining cooperation, adding: “Regarding the province’s imports and exports, the value of the province’s exports has grown by 12 percent, and imports have grown by more than 21 percent in value. Overall, the province’s trade balance is positive.”

Sadeghian continued that Yazd province’s trading partners are China, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Turkey. The province’s main export goods are mineral industries, polymer materials, wires and cables, and hydrocarbons.”

The Head of the Yazd IMTO expressed hope that the trade balance between the two countries would increase and said: “Good cooperation can be had with Thailand in the field of mining machinery and technology transfer.”

Joint Investment and Transfer of Knowledge and Experience with Thailand

The Secretary of the Trade Facilitation and Export Development Commission of the Yazd Chamber, referring to the past exports of decorative stones and dried fruits to Thailand, said: “Unfortunately, Yazd province has not had direct commercial interaction with Thailand in recent years.”

Golsa Salehi continued: “Iran’s export items to Thailand have been iron, steel, zinc and zinc products, and mineral fuels. Items such as dates, figs, raisins, and pistachios have also been exported to Thailand, in which Yazd has a high production capacity. Iran’s imports from Thailand have included wood products, machinery, rubber (which is essential for the rubber industry), etc.”

Salehi emphasized that the Yazd Chamber of Commerce, through consultations with activists in various fields, has reached the following proposals in the field of increasing economic and commercial cooperation with Thailand: In the field of gold and jewelry, signing a memorandum of understanding with the Thai Jewelry Manufacturers Association in the field of teacher exchange training and using the capacities of the goldsmithing field, signing a memorandum of understanding regarding the transfer of cutting knowledge and modern machinery to increase the added value of precious and semi-precious stones, as well as sending a trade delegation to the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair are proposals in the field of gold and jewelry industry.

She mentioned the export of surplus semi-finished or alloy products of the province to Thailand, the establishment of a joint consortium and investment in the production of alloy steel products, and joint investment in the field of machinery manufacturing and parts manufacturing as proposals for economic interaction in the steel sector.

Defining the tilapia value chain and increasing cooperation with Thailand, joint investment and transfer of technical knowledge in tilapia farms, and joint investment with this country in related industries such as fish feed production were also raised as proposals worth considering in the fisheries sector.

Exchange of Knowledge and Experience in the Gold and Jewelry Industry

Nouri Zadeh, Head of the Gold and Jewelry Union, referring to Yazd province as one of the gold and jewelry hubs of the country, said: “Yazd ranks first in the country in the field of traditional jewelry, and 80 works by Yazdi masters have been nationally registered, and one work has been globally registered. About 70 percent of the production is exported outside the province. Given Yazd’s potentials in the gold and jewelry industry, we are ready to cooperate with Thailand in the discussion of knowledge and technology transfer.”

Ali Karimi from the Gold Industry Development and Technology Center also pointed to Yazd’s potentials in the field of gold and jewelry and said: “In the gold and jewelry branch of Yazd, we have tried to expand this industry, and we have good potential in this field. The gold and jewelry field is taught in the province’s educational centers.”

Referring to the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair as one of the best exhibitions in this field, Karimi said: “I suggest that a number of Yazd gold activists travel to Thailand to visit these exhibitions, factories, and industries related to gold and jewelry. In return, Thai gold activists should also come to Yazd so that grounds for joint cooperation can be created.”

Issuing certificates for precious stones and technology transfer in the field of cutting precious stones were other points that Karimi emphasized.

Transfer of Technology and Machinery in the Steel and Agriculture Sectors

Mohammad Ali Hatamizadeh, Head of the Agricultural Jihad Organization of Yazd Province, also referred to the experiences of Thailand and Yazd in tilapia farming at this meeting and said: “According to FAO statistics, Thailand has 60 years of history and experience in tilapia farming. Tilapia production in Thailand is 220 times that of Iran and has a high capacity. Yazd is one of the leading provinces in the country in the production of tilapia, so the exchange of scientific experiences and technology, as well as investment in processing industries, especially fish feed, and agricultural tourism can be considered.”

Rezaei, Secretary of the Yazd Province Steel Association, referring to the fact that Yazd province’s steel production is equivalent to Thailand’s steel production, said: “Six million tons of semi-finished steel are produced in Yazd. In the past, Iran held 16 percent of Thailand’s market share, but currently, this figure has reached 3 percent. Oman holds 38 percent of Thailand’s steel market, while Iranian products are exported to Thailand through Oman.”

Referring to their readiness to establish a joint consortium in the field of alloy steel products, Hatamizadeh expressed hope that this meeting would lead to trade between the steel industries of Yazd province and the steel industries of Thailand.

Operationalizing Solutions Should Be Pursued

Pichit Boonsud, the Thai Ambassador, while appreciating the Yazd Chamber of Commerce for holding this meeting, said: “This meeting has allowed me to gain a lot of information. But what caught my attention is Yazd’s agriculture. It is important to me that Yazd, as a water-scarce city, has agricultural production on its agenda. Personally, I have a great interest in pistachio and date products; whenever I take these two products to Thailand, they receive a lot of attention.”

The Thai Ambassador continued: “Yazd’s potential in gold and jewelry provides the ground for signing a memorandum of understanding between Yazd and Thailand. I hope Yazd’s gold and jewelry activists will be present at the Thailand Gems & Jewelry Fair next September. One of the opportunities that exists at this exhibition is that the two private sectors of Yazd and Thailand can speak and negotiate directly without intermediaries. This is an exceptional opportunity for Yazd traders.”

The Thai Ambassador referred to Yazd’s suitable conditions for solar energy and said: “It is interesting to me that Yazd has 330 sunny days. Thailand’s private sector has taken action and is active in the field of solar energy in countries around Thailand. Cooperation in the field of solar energy with Yazd province can also be one of the priorities.”

Pichit Boonsud also referred to the points raised in the agricultural sector and said: “Another issue is tilapia fish, which we will gladly convey to Thailand. In my opinion, Thailand can help Iran in the field of transferring knowledge and scientific experiences regarding fisheries.”

The Thai Ambassador referred to Thailand’s tourism capabilities and the country’s experiences and said: “Thailand can provide the platform for tourism development to Iran and Yazd province so that it can also develop the issue of tourism.”

He expressed hope that the points raised in the meeting would be prioritized, implemented operationally, and followed up.

The Opportunity for Cooperation with Yazd Province is Available

The Thai Commercial Attaché, emphasizing that this meeting allowed him to understand Yazd’s needs, said: “In the field of gold and jewelry, Yazd has announced its readiness to sign a memorandum of understanding. For the transfer of knowledge and technology, my request is that an official representative be introduced so that the details can be reviewed and this matter can be realized. Attending the Thailand Gems & Jewelry Fair will also help us take further steps.”

He suggested that, given Yazd’s potential, the Chamber of Commerce introduce a delegation to attend Thailand and have direct talks with Thai traders. These talks can also be pursued in the fields of steel and fisheries, in addition to the gold industry.

The Thai Commercial Attaché referred to a memorandum of understanding in the field of jewelry between Iran and Thailand and said that, given Yazd’s high potential and capability in this field, direct cooperation is possible for the development and advancement of jewelry making between Yazd and Thailand.

He added that in the field of fish farming and fisheries development, Thailand cooperates with the Iranian Fisheries Organization, and Iranians receive training in Thailand. These collaborations can be expanded.”