Iran presently has cooperation with Italy in mineral metals, he said, adding, Tehran and Rome plan to expand their present cooperation through forming the joint commission, and pave ground for having cooperation in the small industries as well.
Soleimani noted that Italy is Iran’s greatest commerce partner among the European countries, as the volume of Tehran-Rome commerce trades have been 3.852 billion euros in 2003. The amount of the non-oil exports and imports has been $1.847bn in the same year out of which $170m presented Iran’s export to Italy and $1.677bn constituted Italy’s imports to Iran.
Iran presently exports medicines, flooring materials, skin and salampore, iron, steel slab and dried fruits to Italy, the director general said, expressing hope that the types and amount of the exported crops are increased by the establishment of the joint commission.
He further explained that the two countries are cooperating on construction of the second phase of Al-Mahdi Complex in addition to making a contract in 2002 on importing Hepatitis B vaccine form Italy; however, the Italian company has not fulfilled its commitments yet.
In conclusion, Soleimani announced that Iran’s construction project of cement factory in Venezuela will be completed within the next two months and will become operational in President Mohammad Khatami’s visit to the country, adding the construction of Iran’s tractor manufacturing company in Venezuela will be finalized by the end of the current Iranian year falling on March 20, 2005.
FK/MA
END
MNA