TEHRAN – Iran officially launched its trade center in Armenia’s capital Yerevan on Monday, IRNA reported.

The opening ceremony of the center was attended by Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Atabak, Armenia’s Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan, the country’s Deputy Economy Minister Narek Hovakimyan, Trade Attaché of the Republic of Armenia in Iran Vardan Kostanyan, members of the Armenian National Assembly, members of the Armenia-Iran Friendship Group, businessmen, heads of industrial centers and other officials from Iran and Armenia.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Atabak said the priority of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to develop trade relations with its neighbors, especially Armenia, adding: “The opening of this center is an important event that can lead to economic development for the two countries.”

“The interaction platform established here today is a valuable place for economic enterprises that can provide them with a clear horizon for cooperation,” he said.

According to the official, good political and economic relations with Armenia allow the Islamic Republic to see Armenia as Iran's gateway to Eurasia.

Armenian economy minister also said that opening the Iranian trade center in Yerevan is an important step in developing economic and trade relations between the two countries.

“Armenia highly values the cooperation with Iran and the economic presence in Armenia, the opening of this center is another important step in developing economic and trade relations between friendly countries,” Papoyan said.

More than 100 Iranian companies are represented in an area of about 18,000 square meters, where consumers and businessmen can buy Iranian goods directly from the manufacturer.

The center includes 107 exhibition booths of various sizes, a conference room for business (B2B) meetings, and an open space for holding events and festivals. The opening of the trade center will greatly contribute to increasing the level of trade between Armenia and Iran and strengthening Armenian-Iranian business ties.

Iran seriously purses implementing trade agreements with Armenia

Iranian industry minister, who visited Armenia to attend an Iran-EAEU business forum, also met with Iranian traders and business operators active in Armenia on Monday.

In this meeting, Atabak stressed Iran’s serious determination to develop and implement trade agreements with Armenia to facilitate economic relations between the two sides.

The official considered the signing of free and preferential trade agreements as a positive step in the process of facilitating business between the two sides.

Developing cooperation in mining industry

In another meeting on the sidelines of his visit to Armenia, Atabak met and held talks with Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan during which the two sides stressed developing cooperation in the mining sector.

He invited the Armenian minister to attend Iran's mining and mineral industries exhibition in December and emphasized the readiness of Iran's private and public sectors to participate in various industrial and mining projects in Armenia.

EF/MA