China seeking to fortify commercial ties with Iran: Ambassador
China is willing to strengthen its trade exchanges with Iran in all fields, said the Chinese ambassador in Tehran on Monday.
In a meeting with the head of the Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), Cong Peiwu emphasized the need to accelerate the trade cooperation between the two countries, IRNA reported.
In the meeting, the two countries’ willingness in the development of business cooperation based on the expansion of relations and new strategies was emphasized.
TPO Head Mohammadali Dehqan Dehnavi said for his part that Iran’s membership in BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will facilitate commercial cooperation between Tehran and Beijing. The official also emphasized the expansion of bilateral cooperation through holding international exhibitions, technology transfer and business development in industrial and mining fields.
Mohammad Aqajanlou, the head of the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), was also present at the meeting and shared his insights on developing joint cooperation between Iran and China in the mining and mineral industries.
He emphasized the importance of transferring modern technologies from China to Iran, noting that advanced know-how would enhance productivity in mining and enable the processing of mineral products with higher added value.
Moreover, he pointed out that sharing knowledge and experiences between mining experts and engineers from both countries could help improve skills and standards in the industry.
Iran and China, two countries that are in structural conflicts with the current world order, have signed a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement” which is centered on geo-economic goals.
The document heralds opportunities for Iran’s economic diplomacy, but the road to its implementation is riddled with challenges.
The economic opportunities include the potential to facilitate communication and information infrastructure, expand trade and investment as well as financial and banking cooperation, allow Iran to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and reduce sanctions pressure.
A glance at Iran’s trade relations shows China is Iran’s first economic partner, with a distant 30% share of the country’s foreign trade compared to other countries.