Iran, St. Petersburg agree to expand mining, industrial cooperation
Iran’s Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) and officials from Russia’s St. Petersburg have agreed to expand cooperation in mining, steel and other industrial sectors.
The agreement was discussed at a meeting between a senior IMIDRO delegation and economic and international affairs officials of the St. Petersburg regional government, held at the governor’s office, IRNA reported.
Nizami Mamishev, deputy chairman of the regional government’s Committee for External Relations, expressed readiness to expand economic, industrial, scientific and trade ties with Iran. He also highlighted previous cooperation between St. Petersburg and several Iranian provinces, including Yazd and Bushehr.
Russian officials identified mining, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, information technology, machinery exports, oil industries and construction as potential areas for cooperation.
Hossein Afshari, IMIDRO’s deputy head, who led the Iranian delegation, outlined Iran’s mining and steel capabilities and expressed the organization’s readiness to strengthen industrial, scientific and commercial relations with Russian partners.
He also introduced major Iranian companies participating in Metal Expo 2026 in St. Petersburg and invited Russian businesses to visit Iran’s national pavilion and explore potential partnerships.
The two sides also agreed to appoint representatives to follow up on the proposed partnerships and coordinate future activities. IMIDRO introduced Hossein Zadboum as its representative, while the St. Petersburg administration appointed an official from a relevant department.
Russian officials also called for St. Petersburg to be kept informed about industrial and economic events involving Iran and Russia, allowing regional businesses to participate more actively.
Iran’s economic attaché said the embassy would inform Russia’s Foreign Ministry and relevant chambers of commerce about the province’s interest in closer cooperation.
The Iranian delegation also announced plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with Moscow’s National University of Science and Technology (MISIS) after the exhibition. The announcement was welcomed by Russian officials, who expressed interest in similar partnerships between Iranian institutions and scientific and industrial centers in St. Petersburg.