In talks in Tehran, which was held concurrent with an exhibition of agricultural products from ALBA member states in Tehran International Fairground, Iran's Commerce Minister Masoud Mirkazemi, Venezuela's Light Industry and Commerce Minister William Contreras and Nicaragua's Industry and Commerce Minister Orlando Solorzano agreed on cooperation in commerce, customs, investment, transportation, industrial and agricultural products as well as banking facilities. ALBA comprises of Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Cuba.
Mirkazemi said that Iran is interested in expanding cooperation with ALBA member states and it considers that all nations are entitled to economic growth and modern technologies. Trade exchanges among the three countries are not at a desirable level, he said.
Mirkazemi proposed the establishment of a shipping line linking the three countries, which was welcomed Venezuela and Nicaragua. Contreras, for his part, said that ALBA member states are committed to cutting its dependence on North and turn to the South, especially Iran. Expressing pleasure over development of commercial cooperation with Iran, he also said that the international financial crisis can be encountered by strengthening cooperation with friendly states and promoting economic infrastructures of developing countries.
Nicaraguan minister also commended Iran's achievements and voiced his country's readiness to develop cooperation with Iran. Nicaragua is interested in Iran's investment in Nicaragua's agriculture, animal husbandry and food industry, given its rich water resources. |