Iranian companies want to expand their presence in Russia�s construction, oil and consumer market, a senior Iranian trade and planning official told Sputnik in Moscow.

Mina Mehrnoush, the head of�planning at�the Organization for�Trade Development in�Iran, who leads an Iranian delegation on�a visit to�Moscow, said that now is a good time for�establishing new contacts between�the two countries� organizations and companies.
�First, the international sanctions imposed on�our country are now gone. Secondly, Russia�s relations with�a number of�its traditional trading partners are not good, which gives the Iranian firms a chance to�establish a foothold in�the Russian market. Until now our exchanges have been limited to�agriculture, but�we now have good prospects also in�construction and construction materials, oil refinery and textiles. Iran wants to�find a niche for�itself in�all these segments of�the Russian economy,� Mina Mehrnoush said.


During their stay in�Moscow, the Iranian delegation met with�representatives of�about fifty Russian import companies for�constructive and very promising dialogue held as�part of�the Russian-Iranian Trade Council.

Mina Mehrnoush also mentioned tourism as�one of�the most promising areas of�cooperation.
�As far as�I know, three million Russians canceled their planned visits to�Turkey during�this holiday season alone. I think that many more are now looking for�alternative destinations and Iran, with�its many historical and architectural highlights and resorts, could be one such destination. Russians are welcome to�come to�Iran!� she said in�conclusion.


By Sputnik