MNA � An official at Ministry of Energy reported on formation of a joint working group between Iran and Italy to expand ties in water and electricity sectors.


Hamidreza Tashayoei, Head of Export Promotion and Logistics at the Iranian Ministry of Energy, made the remarks at a meeting with Italy�s economy attach� to Tehran Carmelo Ficarra in Tehran.

The Iranian side described Italy as an outstanding country who has held constructive cooperation with Iran following implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

�Strategic and special relations exist between Tehran and Rome and, given the sensitivity and vastness of water and electricity industry in Iran, proper venues for cooperation are available between the two sides,� he underlined.

He recalled signing of a cooperation agreement in the field of renewable energies on the sidelines of Italian PM�s earlier visit to Tehran saying �Iran is eager to broaden cooperation with Italy in water and electricity fields.�

He suggested forming a working group in Tehran or Rome to pursue bilateral relations adding that the initiative could pave the path for joint educational, research and industrial projects.

�Italian firms can make presence in Iran with the aim of technology transfer,� underlined Tashayoei.

The head of Export Promotion and Logistics at the Iranian Ministry of Energy further noted that the working group could also boost ties between private sectors of the two countries in a bid to launch comprehensive projects.

Carmelo Ficarra, Economic Attach� of Italy to Iran, voiced satisfaction towards bilateral cooperation between the two sides in renewable energy sector; �Trade and Economy Office of the Italian Embassy to Tehran is fully ready to launch the joint working group and facilitate bilateral relations by inviting state and private sectors of Italy to Iran.�

�Capable Italian firms are ready willing to begin cooperation with Iran in areas of water, electricity and renewable energies,� he continued.

Volume of Iran�s export to Italy rose by 95 per cent last year as the figure grew from 267 million euros in the first seven month of 2015 to 523 million euros over the corresponding period in 2016.

The most important export items of Iran to Italy comprise oil derivatives, gas condensate, metal products, petrochemical products, stone and building materials, pistachios, unrefined leather and uncoated leather in addition to various types of flooring.