OBAMA - IRAN

Iran-Oman heads of joint economic commission discuss ways to strengthen ties

Tehran, Dec 23, IRNA

Iran-Oman-Commission Omani Minister of Commerce and Industry and head of joint economic commission Maqbool Bin Ali Bin Sultan in a meeting with Foreign Minister and head of Iranian side of the commission Manouchehr Mottaki discussed ways to strengthen ties between the two countries.
According to the report of Foreign Ministry Media Department, in the 12th meeting of the joint economic commission, the two sides discussed new potentials in the field of trade, industry, energy, transportation, customs, telecommunication and standard.
Mottaki said, "Ties between the two countries stand upon mutual respect and visit of President Ahmadinejad as well as Sultan Qaboos have been historical and fruitful visits."
He added, "We hope that our economic and trade exchange level soar to 2 billion dollars next year from 200 million dollars now." Expounding on Iran's economic development and its dynamics, Mottaki said, "There are various economic potentials in both countries and remaining invulnerable in confrontation with global economic crises caused attraction of Central Asian and Turk's businessmen to invest in Iran and created an appropriate position for Omani investors, too.
Referring to the necessity of commissioning joint shipping company, the Omani minister said, "The trend of trade and business necessitate the acceleration of establishment of joint shipping company between Iran and Oman."
Maqbool Bin Ali Bin Sultan by explaining the necessity of investment in the field of Cement production for construction of residential building projects said, "The two countries have agreed on construction of a cement plant with a capacity of one million tons with 50-50 shares.
At the end of the meeting, the two heads of the commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for expanding cooperation in the fields of trade, industry, energy investment and transportation.
Head of Iran's Industrial Research and Standard Institute and his Omani counterpart have also signed a MoU on cooperation, too.

(This News from IRNA 23 Disember 2008)