Iran-Algeria commission meeting begins

Tehran, July 14, IRNA - Third Iran-Algeria Economic Commission Meeting attended by Iran's Housing and Urban Development Minister Mohammad Saeedikia and Rashid Harabieh, Algerian minister of higher education began in Algiers on Sunday.

In the meeting, Iranian and Algerian heads of the commission underlined the need to expand economical ties between the twocountries to match bilateral political ties.

Harabieh, also Algerian head of the commission, elaborated on the huge financial facilities of the country for economic development and saidthat there are many areas of cooperation with foreign companies.

He also urged Iranian investors to take part in national projects.

Harabieh called on his country's economic activists to take theopportunity to cooperate with their Iranian counterparts.

He said that he will present specific proposals and plans forpromoting bilateral cooperation at the commission meeting.

Saeedikia, for his part, referred to Iran's progress in the science and technological fields and voiced its readiness to enhancecollaboration with Algeria.

"Given the commonalities of two nations, current level of commercialtrade is not satisfactory and they should be increased," he said.

Hoping that a branch of Export Development Bank of Iran will soon be opened in the country, he said that it will pave the way for activepresence of Iranian merchants in this North African country.

He further said that various memoranda of understanding in different fields including tourism, environment and handicrafts will be signedduring the commission meeting.

Saeedikia arrived in Algeria Saturday at the head of a high-rankingeconomic delegation.