Iran, Tajikistan review expansion of economic cooperation

Dushanbe, Feb 54, IRNA - Iran's Commerce Minister Masoud Mir-Kazemi conferred on Wednesday with the speaker of Tajikistan's national assembly on expansion of
economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries.

At the meeting, the Iranian minister referred to the scientific
achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran in various fields and
said that the Iranian nation is marking the 30th anniversary of the
victory of its revolution successfully overcaming the economic
pressure and sanctions imposed by hegemonic powers.

Iran's global trade stands at about dlrs 140 billion of which
Tajikistan's share is very meager and this requires expansion of
economic cooperation between the two countries.

High ranking officials of both countries call for expansion of
economic cooperation between Tehran and Dushanbe, said the Iranian
minister.

Expansion of economic cooperation among countries in the region such
as Iran and Tajikistan can help deal successfully with the global
economic meltdown, Mir-Kazemi said.

To promote economic cooperation between the two countries, Tajik
officials should spare no efforts to this end and help prepare grounds
for active participation of Iranian investors by establishing free
trade zones, he said.

He invited Tajik businessmen and traders to invest in various sectors in Iran.

Iran is ready to hold educational and training courses for Tajik
workforce to help the country's economic development.

At the meeting, Tajik official, for his part congratulated Iran for
successfully launching Omid satellite and said Iran's significant
achievements are a source of pride for Tajik people.

Calling political and economic cooperation between the two countries
in the past ten years as very positive, he said Tajikistan is ready to
remove red rapes to help accelerate trade exchanges between the two
sides businessmen.

He invited Iranian contractors to help build roads and buildings in
Tajikistan.

He also called on Iranian officials to help complete unfinished
projects in Tajikistan ahead of time.

Tajik people face lack of electricity; he said adding that the issue
would be resolved through active cooperation of friendly countries
such as Iran.

Tajik parliament speaker called for transfer of Iran's experiences in
education, economy, agriculture, scientific and technological know-how.

The Iranian minister of commerce heading a delegation arrived in
Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Wednesday morning for a two-day official visit.

Upon arrival, Masoud Mir-Kazemi was welcomed by a number of Tajik
political and economic officials.

Mir-Kazemi is due to hold talks with the Tajik ministers of energy and
economy on ways to develop trade and economic cooperation between the
two countries.

He is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister of Tajikistan Okil Okilov
and the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hamrokhan Zarifi as well
as the speaker of Tajikistan?s National Assembly.

Statistics show that Iran and Tajikistan have earned dlrs 250 million
through trade exchanges during the last year showing a rise of 70
percent compared to the figure for the preceding year.

Iran mostly exports foodstuff, construction materials, detergent and
carpets to Tajikistan and imports cotton from that country.