TEHRAN The visiting Kenyan Trade Minister Joseph Kamotho here Wednesday termed the Islamic Republic of Iran as a gate to Middle Eastern and Central Asian markets. Making the remark in a meeting with Minister of Cooperatives Morteza Haji, he expressed hope that the goods being exported by Kenya including tea, coffee, meat and fruits will reach regional markets via Iran. Kenya is currently purchasing oil and pharmaceutical products from Iran, he said voicing his country's willingness to buy chemical fertilizers and agricultural machinery from the Islamic Republic. Kamotho also hoped that Tehran-Nairobi trade relations will expand through promotion of banking cooperation between the two countries.

The Kenyan minister called on Iran to help his country develop its surface and marine transportation. Referring to exchange of visits between the two countries' presidents, he said that such visits are indicatives of Iran-Kenya close cooperation. As to visit of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to Kenya, Haji said that according to agreements reached between the two sides during Rafsanjani's visit, Tehran-Nairobi direct flight was established and Iran's Red Crescent clinic was inaugurated in the country's capital.

The Iranian minister announced the country's readiness for further expansion of bilateral ties in all fields. President Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya and his accompanying delegation arrived here Tuesday on a three-day official visit. (IRNA)