Baku, Azerbaijan, April 6
By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:
Chairman of Iran-China Chamber of Commerce Asadollah Asgaroladi said that Western countries will not replace China once economic sanctions on Tehran are removed.
Iran-China relations have been defined and set for a long period, he asserted, adding that neither Iranian nor Chinese tradesmen are worried over a to-be nuclear deal between Iran and the West, Mehr news agency reported April 6.
On April 2, Tehran and the group 5+1 (the US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany) reached a political framework for a comprehensive nuclear deal to be signed July 1.
While limiting Iran's nuclear activities, the deal would lift international sanctions on the Islamic Republic's economy.
Asgaroladi further said that during recent nuclear talks, China did its part to help the negotiations reach a positive outcome, reiterating that China is not worried over Iran-West relations.
Last year, Iran-China trade turnover hit $52 billion, which is expected to surpass $55 billion this year (Iranian calendar year from March 21, 2015 to March 20, 2016) as objectives laid out predict a 10 percent growth in trade volume, the official stated.
It has been planned that Iran-China trade turnover will double in 20 years, he said, pointing out that China has made a comprehensive plan for the Iranian market.
Iran absorbed $18 billion worth of investment from China during the last Iranian fiscal year.
The Iran-China chamber of commerce chairman also noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping is going to visit Tehran soon.
Asgaroladi further stated that the opening of Chinese finance for Iranian projects has started and that so far 4 to 5 billion dollars of the agreed finance has been opened.
In November 2013, Iran announced that about $30 billion of its oil revenues have been blocked by Chinese banks due to the sanctions imposed on Tehran's banking system.
Asgaroladi said Dec. 16, 2014 that China was financing several Iranian projects.
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