Analyzing Strategies of Developing Exports to Central Asian Countries on the Basis of the Sixth Development Plan by SWOT Model

Iran's strategic position in Central Asia is an opportunity to achieve the objectives of development plans of the country. The aim of this study was to formulate strategies to achieve the goal of developing the country's exports trade set forth in the development plans. In this research, factors affecting export trade to Central Asian Countries, and weighting and prioritization of them by business experts, professionals in related governmental bodies and export associations have been investigated. These strategies are proposed, evaluated and prioritized by a team of strategic planning experts including members from the foreign trade department of Trade Organization, International Affairs Department of Khorasan-e-Razavi Governorship, management office of border markets, and Sarakhs Special Economic Zone administration. The results show that the best approach toward codifying export trade development strategies is aggressive approach. It was also concluded that that strategies of “improving banking and insurance services for goods and services export”, “providing export incentives”, and “improving export infrastructures, including transportation infrastructures”, are the highest strategic priorities of exports trade to the mentioned area. The results will guide planners in formulating and implementing policies in the region, particularly in Central Asia.