TEHRAN – Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina have drawn a joint plan of action on economic cooperation.

Iranian Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Ali Tayyebnia met the visiting Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mirko Sarovic.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed on taking measures to give a boost to bilateral trade through holding joint meetings and signing economic documents.

The Bosnia minister, for his part, said that economic relations between the two countries are not proportional to their very good political ties.

In a separate meeting with Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Chairman Mohsen Jalalpour, Sarovic said Bosnia and Herzegovina is willing and prepared to expand its economic relations with Iran after the five years of halt due to the western-led sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The Bosnian official mentioned signing a preferential trade agreement, facilitation of visa issuance for traders of the both countries, and cooperation between the banks of Iran and his country as three major necessities for the expansion of bilateral economic ties.

He further named tourism, energy, and agriculture sectors as well as urban development, transfer of technology, manufacturing of car parts and oil transferring pipes in addition to production of food oil, sugarcane and livestock products as the areas proper for economic cooperation between the two countries.

Jalalpour, for his part, referred to the old traditional and cultural relations between Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina and said the two countries could expand their economic ties as well.

The official stated that Iranian economy has come under the spotlight of other countries specially the European ones after the country’s nuclear deal with the world’s major powers, in a way that many foreign trade and economic delegations have visited Iran since then to explore new business opportunities in the country.

He mentioned agriculture and industry sectors as well as nanotechnology, biotechnology and technology in other fields besides technical-engineering services and processing industries as some areas for bilateral cooperation.

Business delegations from around the world have flocked to Iran since the July 14 deal, in which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for an end to economic sanctions that have hit the country’s economy.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says there is a global surge of interest in new business opportunities in Iran, adding the country is ready to open its arms to international entrepreneurs if they bring in investment and technology. 

MA