TEHRAN, Feb. 22 (Shana) � Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh said Iran and the German firm Siemens can expand their cooperation in the post-sanctions era to joint production in the oil industry.

During a meeting with Siemens CEO Jo Kaeser here on Monday, he said a number of equipment and machinery purchased from Siemens were not shipped to Iran because of the sanctions.

The equipment including gas compressors were ordered for development of South Pars phases, LNG projects and refiners, he said adding that after removal of sanctions, they have been unblocked.

Zangeneh also said that after taking office in the petroleum ministry two years ago, he ordered expansion of relations with the German company.

�With cooperation of Iranian companies, Siemens can �start�joint�production (of machinery) for export to Iraq, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Central Asia and other countries in the region,� he said.

By SHANA