Tehran, Iran, Sept. 3
Trend:
Philippine Ambassador in Iran Wilfredo C. Santos has expressed his country's intention to expand trade ties with Iran in field of agriculture, technical services, mineral material and tourism, and interest in possible barter of agriculture products in exchange for Iran's steel and cement.
The ambassador indicated that agriculture products such as bananas and pineapples are in high demand on the Iran market, and Philippines can barter them for steel, cement and bitumen from Iran, Trend reports citing ILNA.
"The volume of economic ties between the two countries increased remarkably to $900 million after signing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The major part of this figure amounts for import of Iran oil," he said during a meeting at Iran's Chamber of Commerce.
"Due to re-impose of sanctions, the trade volume has reduced; however, there are expectations that the ties with Iran improve. We seek to establish infrastructures, develop ports, build dams, construct roads and airports and we are ready to cooperate in these fields with Iran," he added.
Santos requested the Iran's Chamber of Commerce to provide a list of goods that can be bartered to held further negotiations.
During the meeting, Director General of Iran Chamber of Commerce Mohammad Reza Karbasi has emphasized the importance of trade and commercial cooperation between Iran and Philippines.
"The banking problems can be solved by establishing barter mechanism, so that imports and exports between the two countries can be in good balance," said Karbasi.
"Arranging visits of trade delegations in private sector is one of the priorities of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, and launch of direct flights will lead to more negotiations," he added.