TEHRAN - A Malaysian high-ranking trade delegation arrived in Tehran on Monday for holding talks with Iranian counterparts to begin or expand bilateral relationships and also signing a preferential trade agreement with Iran.

Dzulkifli Mahmud, the chief executive officer of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation known as MATRADE, leads the 36-member delegation, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Monday.

The delegation includes senior managers and envoys of companies from the private sector which are active in various spheres including offshore oil and gas equipment, air pumps, control and maintenance systems, spare parts, machinery, chemicals, medical equipment, constructional materials, etc.

The CEO of MATRADE said that a preferential trade agreement will be signed for the expansion of relations between the two countries.

Malaysian trade delegation is scheduled to attend a conference to be held at Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) on Tuesday to hold talks with Iranian entrepreneurs.

The visit of Malaysian delegation comes a week after Malaysian foreign Minister Anifah Aman's journey to Tehran last Tuesday where he met President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, and Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

In his meeting with Zarif, Aman called for expansion of ties between the two countries in various spheres, especially economy.

For his part, Zarif said that Iran and Malaysia have always had “good relations” and Tehran has no limit to expand ties with Kuala Lumpur.

“Relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Malaysia have been good and forward moving from a historical point of view and the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to expand all-out cooperation with Malaysia,” Zarif said.

EF/MA