Tehran, Dec 7, IRNA Chairman of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture pointed to the longstanding trade relations between Iran and Germany and said bilateral trade exchanges in the past years was about $6 billion, adding that the figure should increase in the new chapter of relations.Speaking at Iran-Germany trade conference, Gholamhossein Shafeie said due to certain reasons Irans relations with European countries, Germany in particular, were confined due to which trade relations were reduced to half, inflicting damage on both sides.
In the new chapter of Irans trade and economic relations with the outside world, Germany can play a determining role, he said, adding that Germanys market has always been a source of attention for Iran and since the past has been one of the major centers for export of dried fruits, carpet and the pistachio.
Shafeie pointed to the new approach of the 11th government especially to the development of ties with different countries and said development of economic relations has been greatly heeded on this basis.
He also referred to Irans influence on the economy of the region and said Iran has a different status in comparison with other countries in Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Caucasus and trilateral or multilateral cooperation with Iran will have a special place in the 350 million strong consumer market of the region.
Referring to mechanisms for cooperation between Iran and Germany, Shafeie said development of small and diversified industries, the issue of energy, development of transportation especially railroad and connection to Central Asia and the open seas are among plans that can be followed up with Germany, as we believe that this country has good expertise in the mentioned fields.
He also pointed to the management of water resources as the main priority of the Six Development Plan and said using modern and mechanized methods with the cooperation of Germany is essential.
He said: According to the information available, the Germans have managed to change pattern of energy consumption from fossil fuel to renewable sources of energy which is under our special attention and we hope that the volume of transactions between the two countries will increase.
By IRNA
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