�TEHRAN Sept 28 (Shana) � President of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture Masoud Khansari has called for an increase in joint investment ventures in oil, gas and petro chemical industries.

�Diplomatic and economic relations of Iran and Oman have been outstanding even prior to the Islamic Revolution (in 1979) which has continued so far,� he said in a meeting with visiting Chairman of the Board of Directors at SEZAD (Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm) Yahya bin Said bin Abdullah Al Jabri.

�Oman is the gateway to Africa and enjoys an excellent location in terms of geography and free trade zones. It demands that Iranian businessmen and investors use the opportunity in an appropriate manner,� he �added.

Khansari said the July 24 nuclear deal has opened the way for cooperation with a number of countries including Oman.

Last week, Iran and Oman signed the contracts with the domestic consultant firms to study constructing the pipeline to carry gas to Oman.

The pipeline to carry Iran�s gas to Oman will be operational by end of 2017, said Managing Director of the National Iranian Gas Exports Company (NIGEC) Alireza Kameli.

The project includes laying the 400-kilometer land-sea pipeline from Iran to Oman. According to initial available data, the land part of the gas pipeline extends for 200 kilometers from Rudan to Mobarak Mount in southern Hormozgan Province. The seabed section between Iran and Sohar Port in Oman will stretch for another 200 kilometers.

About five months will be allocated for sea section and six months for the land portion, Kameli added, and between 18 to 30 months has been also estimated for final launching of the project.

By SHANA