A top Iranian trade official and Uzbekistan ambassador to Tehran have discussed ways to boost Tehran-Tashkent economic ties and trade deals.

Mehdi Zeighami, the acting director of the Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) of Iran, met with Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Tehran, Bahador Abdullayev, on Friday to discuss ways to deepen bilateral trade and economic ties.

The main focus of the meeting was to plan for the Iran-Uzbekistan Joint Commission to be held in Tashkent, as well as a planned visit by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Tehran in a few weeks.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized the mutual interest of Iran and Uzbekistan in removing trade barriers and developing trade exchanges, highlighting the necessity of signing a preferential trade agreement.

The Uzbek ambassador also appreciated Iran as the closest access route to the open seas for Uzbekistan and called for the removal of obstacles for transit of goods via Iran.

He expressed hope that a roadmap for trade exchanges between the two countries, aimed at reaching a $1 billion trade target, would be signed during President Mirziyoyev's visit to Tehran.

Once transit barriers were completely removed, Abdullayev said, the volume of trade would potentially rise to $4 billion.

Zeighami, the Iranian trade official, pointed to Tehran’s efforts in removing obstacles for the transit of Uzbek goods via Iran, and said plans were underway to hold a trade conference between the two countries.