TEHRAN (Iran News) – Uzbek Official Calls for Cooperation With Iran in Agriculture. First Deputy Chief of Uzbekistan Plants Quarantine Service Mr. Nadir Kasimov during meeting with business activists of Hamedan Province last week called for expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture.
Kasimov and his delegation visited Hamedan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and during his visit he exchanged views with officials of the chamber and business activists of the province.
Addressing the participants, Kasimov said that the potential for cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan in the agro sector is very high, adding that both countries should take advantages of the existing opportunities for expansion of trade ties.
He then pointed to the historic relation between the two countries and commonalities and noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the biggest trade partners of his country.
Kasimov went on to say that the trade exchange between the two countries in the past two years has increased considerably, noting that there were good and useful meetings in Tehran and Hamedan between the traders of the two countries.
He reiterated that his country is well aware that there are good potentials for cooperation with Iran in agro sector and invited an Iranian trade delegation to Uzbekistan for talks and exchange of views and to get acquainted with Uzbekistan agriculture and agro products.
He stated that the meeting in Hamedan was a great opportunity for expansion of bilateral cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan, adding that 15 entrepreneurs and active traders were accompanying him in his visit to Iran that they can provide the ground for expansion of co-operations.
Kasimov said that such meetings can improve the trade of Iran and Uzbekistan, noting that he hopes the meeting between entrepreneurs of the two countries bears fruits.
Then Head of Hamedan Chamber of Commerce Ali Asghar Zebardast, for his part, welcomed the arrival of Uzbek delegation, stating that Hamedan is one of the oldest provinces of Iran and historically is similar to Uzbekistan and they have many commonalities. He went on to say that Hamedan and Uzbekistan in terms of culture have many similarities.
He went on to say that since the independence of Uzbekistan from the former Soviet Union, 54 documents for cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan have been signed. He added that in the field of transit and transportation, a four-way MoU has been signed by Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan in order that those countries can transport their goods by rail from Chabahar Port of Iran.
Zebardast went on to say that Uzbekistan is a country rich in agro capacities and it has good products and this country’s vegetables and fruits are exported to 21 countries. He expressed hope during this meeting, exporters and producers of Hamedan Province in the field of potato and citrus would reach agreements with the Uzbek traders, reiterating that Hamedan Province ranks first in Iran in terms of producing potato and three other agro products. He said Hamedan is also good in terms of producing grapes and raisins and the city of Tuyserkan in the province is one of the biggest producers of the walnut and producers of walnut in the province can reach an agreement with Uzbek traders.
