An Iranian official has called for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to prioritize the removal of technical trade barriers to boost regional commerce.
Mahmoud Reza Taheri, Deputy for Quality Assessment at the Iran National Standards Organization (INSO), made the proposal during a webinar of SCO standardization experts. He suggested adding "Trade Facilitation and Removal of Technical Barriers" as a strategic axis to the organization's cooperation plan.
Taheri argued that while tariff reductions are frequently debated, a lack of technical coordination remains a major "invisible obstacle" that often halts goods at borders. He proposed a scientific, evidence-based approach to measure how standard harmonization reduces trade costs, moving members from theoretical agreements to an operational roadmap.
To implement this, Taheri recommended forming a special working group with a target timeline of 2027–2028. Regarding a separate proposal by Kazakhstan for a "Shanghai Award," he advised that a "Shanghai Insignia" be established among members first, noting that the award process would be time-consuming.