MUSCAT (ONA) – An Omani-Iranian session of trade talks was held at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) premises Saturday.

The Omani side was headed by Al Hosni, OCCI board member, chairman of tourism committee at OCCI and deputy chairman of Omani-Iranian Friendship Committee, while the Iranian side was headed by Dr Ali Danesh Monfared, a member of the Islamic Republic’s parliament (Majlis), and head of food industries committee there, who was on a visit to the Sultanate accompanied by his delegation from a food industries specialists’ society.

Al Hosni highlighted the specialized relationship between the Sultanate and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the developments it witnessed, particularly in the areas of enhancing joint cooperation and coordination in economic, investment and commercial spheres.

Al Hosni stressed the importance of mutual visits by trading and investment delegations of the two countries and the setting up of partnership and the signing of agreement to form Omani-Iranian Businessmen Council in 2004.

Dr Monfared stressed that the Iranian private sector establishment’s keenness to enhance economic cooperation and coordination between the Sultanate and Iran, indicating the necessity to utilize the facilities, incentives and means of support available at the two countries, in order to create true cooperation and investment partnership.

Al Hosni stated that development of marine transport between the two countries was discussed as well as activation of joint Omani-Iranian Businessmen Council.

In a statement to ONA, Al Hosni added, “an Iranian request to allow Iranian companies to participate in exhibitions held in the Sultanate and possibilities of investment in foodstuff sector in Oman.

The session was attended by a number of OCCI board members, businessmen as well as members of the visiting Iranian delegation businessmen, who represent major Iranian companies and establishments in industrial, commercial and investment spheres.

Earlier, Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, commerce and industry undersecretary at the Commerce and Industry Ministry, received Dr Monfared and his delegation. The meeting discussed aspects of bilateral cooperation in trade and industrial fields, particularly in food industries and ways of increasing trade exchange between the two countries and encouraging the private sector to invest in both the countries.

The two sides stressed the importance of providing required facilities in transport and expertise exchange fields. The meeting was attended by the Iranian ambassador to the Sultanate and some ministry officials.