TEHRAN - The 9th meeting of the Iran-Qatar Joint Economic Committee started in Tehran on Saturday aimed at expanding economic cooperation and bolstering the constructive interaction between the two countries’ private sectors.

The meeting is co-chaired by Iran’s Energy Minister Ali-Akbar Mehranian and Qatari Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, the portal of the Iranian Energy Ministry reported.

In this meeting, which is held annually, new and effective steps are taken for developing and expanding the economic relations between Tehran and Doha.

The event is held in the form of four specialized committees including the trade committee (trade, industries and chambers of commerce, banking, customs and insurance), the infrastructure committee (roads and urban development, agriculture and information and communication technology, and work), the social and cultural committee (tourism and crafts, health, science and research, judiciary and law) and the energy committee (water and sewage, electricity, oil, gas and environment).

There are 17 representatives from both sides in the trade committee, six representatives in the infrastructure committee, seven representatives in the energy committee and 11 representatives in the social committee at the level of general managers from all government agencies.

During the three-day event, several memorandums and agreements will be discussed and signed by the two countries and opinions will be exchanged to prepare the necessary grounds to advance the agreements and practical measures.

Also, on the sidelines of the meeting, a specialized exhibition of Iran's achievements and capabilities in the fields of food industries, health, treatment and medicine, agricultural industry, knowledge-based companies and energy is held to introduce Iran's export products.

The 9th Iran-Qatar Joint Economic Cooperation Commission will run through December 11.

EF/MA