TEHRAN – In a meeting between Iranian Industry, Mining, and Trade Minister Mohammad Reza Ne’matzadeh and Swedish Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Mikael Damberg, the two sides expressed readiness for further economic cooperation, the Mehr News Agency reported on Monday.

According to Ne’matzadeh, modern technologies, steel and food industries, electronics, fruit and vegetables, tractor manufacturing, and chemical engineering besides energy, oil and gas sectors are some likely cooperation areas between the two countries.

Damberg, for his part, expressed his country’s readiness to prop up economic ties with Iran considering the anticipated sanctions relief against the country, listing modern technologies, mining, and telecommunication as the fields Iran and Sweden can collaborate in.

In a separate Sunday meeting, Damberg held talks with Iranian Central Bank Governor Valiollah Seif, according to Tasnim News Agency.

In the session, Seif was hopeful of resuming banking connections with Sweden and nudging bilateral trade to the level it was before the imposition of sanctions against Iran.

Seif’s words were followed by Damberg’s emphasis on long-standing relationships between Iran and Sweden and the need for boosting banking ties with Iran.

These banking ties matter as, according to Damberg, Swedish traders are interested in launching partnership with Iranian companies particularly in the fields of sustainable transportation, mining, and information and communications technology (ICT).

Heading a business delegation to seek trade and investment cooperation with Iran, Damberg arrived in Tehran on Saturday.

European firms are racing to secure business ventures with the post-sanctions Iran in the wake of the landmark pact clinched between Iran and world powers over Tehran’s nuclear program in the Austrian capital of Vienna on July 14. 

CAP: Iranian Industry, Mining, and Trade Minister Mohammad Reza Ne’matzadeh (left) welcomes Swedish Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Mikael Damberg (right)

AK/MA/