Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Shamseddin Hosseini says the Islamic Republic welcomes the opportunity for Iranian companies to invest in economic activities in Nicaragua.

 

In a meeting with Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos Lopez on Tuesday, Hosseini said that Iran’s government is not opposed to the participation of Iranian businessmen in appropriate economic opportunities in Nicaragua.

 

The Iranian minister noted that the economic ties between the two countries have unfortunately not expanded as much as bilateral political relations, which remain at a high level.

 

Lopez, for his part, invited Iranian companies to invest in Nicaragua and urged a visit by an Iranian delegation of investors to his country for reviewing investment opportunities.

 

In January, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Nicaragua to attend the inauguration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega for his third term.

 

President Ahmadinejad has initiated Iran's foreign policy priority of expanding ties with Latin American countries since he first assumed office in 2005. The promotion of all-out cooperation with Latin American countries is now among the top priorities of the Islamic Republic's foreign policy.

 

According to statistics released by the International Monetary Fund, Iran's trade with Latin America has witnessed a considerable rise since 2008.