MNA � Head of Iran�s Chamber of Commerce Gholamhossein Shafei said Wed. that the formation of a joint chamber of commerce between Iran and Austria is on agenda.


Head of Iran�s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA)�Gholamhossein Shafei�made the remarks in a meeting with Austrian ambassador to Tehran on Wednesday, adding �the two countries� chambers of commerce have been in close contact with one another for a long time and next week an Iranian delegation comprising heads of various chambers will travel to Austria.�

Shafei deemed the upcoming visit highly significant and unique, adding �once the trip is wrapped up, we will pursue talks on the formation of a joint chamber of commerce between Iran and Austria.�

He also highlighted the importance of trilateral cooperation, saying �Iran has a prominent presence in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Iraq and Afghanistan, and is highly influential on the economy of these regions. We can hold trilateral cooperation with Austria in any of these areas.�

The Austrian ambassador, for his part, noted Austria�s allocation of a credit line of �1 billion for a major steel production project in southern Iran as a positive signal not just for Austrian investors but all across Europe.

He went on to add, �Austrian economy relies mainly not on oil and raw materials, but on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As such, Austria can be a reliable partner to Iran as far as SMEs are concerned.�