A meeting was held between the CEO of the RAI and the CEOs of rail freight transportation companies.
According to the Public Relations Department of the RWT, quoting the Islamic Republic of Iran RAI, on Saturday, 03/08/1404 (25.10.2025), a meeting was held at the central Shohada-ye Rahahan building between the CEO of the RAI and the CEOs of rail freight transportation companies. During the meeting, private rail sector managers expressed appreciation for the Railway’s recent policies toward cooperation with the private sector and the measures already implemented. They also discussed challenges and proposals with the Railway CEO regarding performance improvement and increasing the share of rail transportation in freight movement.
Dr. Zakeri, Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and CEO of the RAI, announced increased cooperation with the private sector during the meeting with the trade association and CEOs of rail freight transportation companies. He stated that the formation of full freight trains reduces costs, increases efficiency, boosts private sector revenues, and decreases government intervention.
Referring to the 14th Government’s approach toward reforming the economic structure of the rail industry, Dr. Zakeri announced a 12% increase in freight loading tonnage during the current year. He noted that this growth was the result of an increase in the number of wagons and improved locomotive readiness compared to the previous year.
The RAI CEO also highlighted the expansion of international cooperation and the development of rail diplomacy. He added that, in line with increasing the share of international freight and foreign currency revenues, numerous negotiations have been conducted with regional countries, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, regarding permits for Iranian wagons to transit through their territories, many of which have already been finalized.
In another part of his remarks, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development referred to the implementation of Article 12 of the Law on Removing Barriers to Competitive Production and said that, following the removal of executive obstacles related to Article 12, approximately 680 billion tomans have so far been injected into railway companies. Furthermore, after the ratification of contracts in the presence of the Minister of Roads and Urban Development and the Minister of Oil, an additional 3 trillion tomans will soon be allocated to companies that had initiated related projects in previous years.
Continuing the meeting, Sobhan Nazari, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Rail Transport Companies and Related Services, referred to the return of hope to the private rail sector and stated that the situation of the private sector has improved compared to the past. He emphasized that the RAI should extend its supportive policies, similar to those applied to tank wagons, to other transportation companies as well, in order to ensure sustainable and continuous investment.
