Paul Foley met and talked with Head of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture Masoud Khansari on Saturday; “Australia is determined to dispatch a trade delegation to Iran regardless of the proclaimed limitations on the part of the US,” asserted the Australian ambassador.
He further pointed out the strength of Iran and Australia in the field of mineral activities highlighting the possibility to conduct close and effective cooperation in the area.
“In the past, several Australian companies were active in Iran though they had to reduce operation before ending their task due to strict sanctions,” he asserted.
Foley expressed Australian companies’ willingness to return to Iran despite the fact that the level of collaboration between the two countries has fluctuated widely over the recent year.
The Australian official also maintained that Australia is ready for cooperation with Iran in various areas like agriculture, education, mines and mining industries, oil, gas and service relating to the industries.
“Australia is eager to see the country's economic activists visit Tehran to hold negitiations with their commercial partners,” said the official.
Head of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture Masoud Khansari, for his part, noted the long history of Iran-Australia trade relations adding “the trade volume between the two countries has shrunk over the past few years as a result of severe sanctions.”
“About 80 business delegations have visited Iran since the approval of JCPOA while no Australian delegation has travelled to Iran yet,” added Khansari.
“Australia’s economic activists are apparently following a conservative approach,” noted the Iranian official expressing hope that the presence of the two countries’ trade delegations will lead to reinvigorating of Tehran-Canberra relations.
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