TEHRAN (Iran News) – Ambassador of Belgium to Tehran Gian Marco Rizzo in meeting with Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Mr. Gholam-Hossein Shafei voiced the interest of Belgian companies for cooperation with Iranian counterparts.
In the meeting, Rizzo expressed his satisfaction for presence at the Iran Chamber as it is considered a focal point in Iran’s economy and said taking advantage of the existing capacities is very important.
He emphasized that Belgium is very important core of link in Europe and it considers very valuable the interactions with its trade partners. He went on to say that Belgium is world’s 17th biggest exporting country and it has good resources, adding that the country intends to make the most out of these resources through cooperation with its trade partners. He expressed hope the ties between Iran and Belgium would expand like in the past, and for this reason Brussels has kept open its trade office despite sanctions.
He then pointed to his country’s structural system, adding that Belgium has been comprised of three parts and they enjoy close cooperation, noting that in each program their representatives are present to advance the program.
Meanwhile Shafei, for his part, pointed to the considerable capacities of Belgium in the field of transportation and new technologies and recommended cooperation between Tehran and Belgium in the fields of renewable energies production, new technologies of irrigation and agriculture and renovation of industries.
Head of the ICCIMA also said Belgium is considered as one of the famous countries in the world because of its transportation system, adding that this country is considered as one of the best European states in terms of port capacities.
He went on to say that despite good capacities for bilateral cooperation, the trade between Iran and Belgium has been unsatisfactory due to sanctions and the pandemic in recent years and their trade volume has slumped to $350m.
Shafei also pointed to the good agreements signed between the two countries in the past, adding that one of them was to remove charging double tax and called for providing infrastructures for its implementation.
He said since Iran’s industry needs renovation in its industries, the cooperation in this field is a good ground for cooperation between the two states, adding that since Belgium has progressed well in irrigation technology and has good experience, the two countries can also cooperate in this field.
He also called for connection of Iran’s Bandar Abbas Port with Port of Antwerp in Belgium as both ports enjoy special positions, and called for constant and effective relation between ICCIMA and Embassy of Belgium in Tehran and expressed hope chambers of commerce of both countries can cooperate under an organized and integrated programs.
