Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 10
By Fatih Karimov - Trend:
A new chapter has opened in Iran's economic relations with other countries.
Iran's Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Ali Tayebnia addressed the opening ceremony of the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, saying that Iran can be regarded as an emerging market in the global economy, Iran's industry, mines and trade ministry's official SHATA news portal reported on October 10.
He referred to natural resources, talented and skilled manpower, and appropriate infrastructures as the advantages of the Iranian market, which are unique in the Middle East.
Tayebnia said that any further progress of the Iranian economy will be dependent on acquiring technical knowledge and attracting foreign investment. To this end, Iran welcomes the participation of developmental organizations, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, he added.
"After several years of problem in relations between Iran and the World Bank due to the sanctions, now it is time for Iran to benefit from financing of developmental banks."
Cooperation with developmental organizations is the highest priority of Iran, he noted.
The recent lifting of sanctions against Iran will allow for the country's economy to grow, Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said on October 8.
Meanwhile, the World Bank has forecasted Iran's gross domestic product will grow by 0.6 percent in 2015.