Armenia and Iran are making efforts aimed at joint sales of goods to third countries, said Armenian Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan on Thursday.

His remarks came at the joint session of permanent parliamentary committees.

According to him, they focus on those trade components that have potential. In particular, thanks to Armenia's transport and communication ties, Iranian goods, after some processing in the republic, are sent to various markets of the EEU, as well as other countries.

"The Armenian market is quite small for Iran. Therefore, both sides are taking steps to jointly sell the available goods. In addition, Armenia is working to make logistic routes through Iran accessible to Armenian carriers. We are talking, in particular, about the transportation of goods from Iran through the Caspian Sea to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and Central Asia," Kerobyan said.

A representative of the government said that the trade turnover between Armenia and Iran will reach $800 million in 2022. He also stressed that negotiations are currently underway to extend the free trade zone between Iran and the EEU countries.

"The main obstacle to trade is the banking system, which forces businessmen to look for alternative ways. There are also problems with exports to Iran because of restrictions. Iran's economy is a "resistance economy." They have little interest in importing goods," he noted.