Australia, Iran Review Ways for Bilateral Educational Cooperation
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Australia’s deputy chief of mission to Tehran met head of international affairs and human resources of Tehran Chamber of Commerce and reviewed ways for boosting bilateral educational cooperation.
During the meeting, deputy head of Tehran Chamber of Commerce Hessam Hallaj briefed Australian diplomat of the duties of the chamber and pointed to the economic relation between Iran and Australia, adding that the trade volume between both states is currently less than $500m which is below the expectation despite high trade capacities of both states.
He then pointed to education as one of the grounds for bilateral cooperation, noting that Australia is a leading country in agro, environmental and water sectors and urged Australian Embassy to involve Australian experts in the specialized meeting with Tehran Chamber of Commerce in order that Iranians take advantage of Australia’s knowhow in those fields.
Meanwhile Axel Wabenhorst, for his part, welcomed the talks for boosting bilateral trade, adding that the major trade cooperation between Iran and Australia is in the agro sector and its related industries, noting that sanctions have led to a decline in bilateral relations.
He then briefed Mr. Hallaj of Australian embassy’s performance in issuing different visas for Iranians.
He noted that after Iran’s government cut the official forex rate for the imports of meat and restrictions from Iran’s veterinary organization for imports, there has been a drop in exports of Australia’s meat to Iran.
Wabenhorst added that both countries have recently signed a health protocol which will ease exports of Australian meat to Iran to some extent.
During the meeting, both sides discussed ways for educational cooperation and each side highlighted the potential of his country in the education field.
It was also decided soon the new Australian Ambassador to Tehran and president of Tehran Chamber of Commerce to meet and discuss ways of boosting co-operations.
