Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia Peter Kažimír leading a 40-member delegation arrived in the second most populous city in Iran aiming to discuss venues for expansion of economic and investment ties.
The Slovakian delegation was officially received by Governor General of Khorasan Razavi Province Alireza Rashidian at Shahid Hashemi Nejad International Airport.
Upon arrival, the Slovakian minister announced happiness for being the first delegation to visit Iran after the removal of international sanctions expressing readiness to strengthen bilateral relations.
He further expressed satisfaction towards visiting Iran as well as the sanctions relief; “the trip aims to sign two legal Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in order to prevent double taxation and to support and encourage mutual investment.”
Peter Kažimír noted that 40 economic activists accompany him in the trip to Iran stating “we plan to attend sessions with Iranian economic activists with the purpose of developing economic cooperation.”
“Slovakia’s economy revolved around weapons in the past,” noted the official adding “by elimination of weapon-economy over the course of time, we managed to focus on automotive industry achieving remarkable success to the extent that Slovakia has turned into one of the world’s top automakers.
“Currently, Slovakia produces one million vehicles per year in three different brands while two more brands will be added to the production line in near future,” he added.
Kažimír went on to stress that Slovakia marks the first country in producing flying cars; “other capabilities of the Central European country include production of electronic and digital equipment as well as electric and agricultural systems.”
“Slovakia heavily depends on Russia in terms of energy supply,” underlined the minister emphasizing that Iran can become an outstanding energy hub.
He further noted that after France, Slovakia is the second country interested in producing electricity from nuclear energy yet laying another possible ground for bilateral cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“The removal of sanctions opens a new chapter in Iran’s relations with other countries,” noted Kažimír underlining that Iran possesses a rich history and culture as well as precious reserves and resources.
The Slovakian finance minister further promised to make utmost effort in increasing level of trade and economic turnover deepening the cooperation between the two countries.
Also at the meeting, Alireza Rashidian deemed Khorasan Razavi Province as a proper ground for investment as well as for bolstering of bilateral ties with Slovakia due to having shared borders with Central Asian countries, six thousand industrial units as well as possessing East-West transit gateways.
Governor general of Khorasan Razavi province highlighted that the province ranks first in the country and in the world in producing certain agricultural products like Saffron, ranks fourth in the country's industry as well as having the country’s largest iron ore mines consisting of 44 minerals.
“The large capacity of cross-border trade in the province has brought about the opportunity to produce joint products especially in the automotive industry and exports to neighboring countries,” he underlined.
The Iranian official recalled that Slovakia will become the head of the European Union in the next six months adding “the event together with the termination of international sanctions against Iran can mark a great opportunity for reinvigorating economic relations leading to stable employment in the province.”
“In addition of having suitable infrastructures in industry and agriculture sectors, Mashhad receives 27 million domestic and foreign pilgrims every year enjoying 51 per cent of the country’s tourism capacity,” stressed Rashidian.
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