TEHRAN (Iran News) –Ambassador of Brazil to Tehran Laudemar Goncalves de Aguiar Neto says sanctions are a big obstacle in way of trade between Iran and Brazil but the main hurdle is lack of acquaintance of both states about their capacities for bilateral cooperation which can be resolved through the presence of traders in the exhibitions.

During his visit to Zanjan Province and meeting with Zanjan Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture officials, Brazilian Envoy Mr. Neto pointed to the problems resulted by the sanctions and added that unfortunately sanctions have increased the cost of trade between the two countries and have hurt people and prolonged the period of trade exchange between the two states.

He stipulated that Iran is the biggest trade partner of Brazil in the Middle East and his country is interested in trade with Iran and wants to increase exports to this country.

Neto noted that Brazil’s exports to Iran have been doubled this year comparing to the past year, and at the same time Iran’s exports to Brazil have increased. He went on to say that the direct trade between Iran and Brazil is around $4b, reiterating that there is also indirect trade between the two countries but it is focused on few goods which should be increased.

He admitted that 95% of bilateral trade is in favor of Brazil, adding that his duty as the ambassador is to help the trade between the two states to increase but his 40 years of experience shows that if one wants to export more, it should also increase imports.

Neto added that beside the Iran-Brazil Joint Chamber of Commerce, Iran’s embassy in Brazil is also very active, stating that some studies have been conducted in the fields of fish, ewe, livestock feed, and animal husbandry as well as joint cooperation in the field of foodstuff, fruit juice, tomato paste, carpet and oil of transformer of Zanjan Province and expressed hope both sides would witness more co-operations due to the existing capacities of the province.

He said that state officials should be facilitators and helpers because the private sector plays the key role.

He went on to say that although sanctions hinder the trade but the main problem is the lack of acquaintance of both sides to their potentials for cooperation. He reiterated that exchange of trade delegations and presence in the exhibitions is one way to boost acquaintance and the trade exchange.

Then Head of Zanjan Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture Mr. Ali Yeganehfard, for his part, pointed to the historic relation between Iran and Brazil which dates back to 120 years and added that Brazil is the fifth biggest country in the world with over 200m population and the third economic power in the Western  Hemisphere.

He stated that Brazil is ninth economy in the world with GDP over $2.4 trillion and will become the fifth consumer market by 2023.

Yeganefard said that the trade exchange between Iran and Brazil is around $2.5b which can increase to $100b and stipulated that Brazil has special stance in Iran’s trade exchange and government’s policy is to broaden trade ties with this country.

He pointed to massive capacity of Brazil in the field of agriculture, mining, production and services and expressed hope they can have good cooperation.

He then pointed to the signed MoU and expressed hope that the MoU was signed with Iran-Brazil Joint Chamber of Commerce and expressed hope this can be a prelude to improve the province and they can cooperate in exchanges, dispatch of trade delegations and exhibitions.

Meanwhile Head of Iran-Brazil Joint Chamber of Commerce Seyed Fakhroddin Amiran said that Zanjan Province has great potentials but it has been ignored for trade with Brazil due to the lack of acquaintance.

He noted that Iran-Brail Chamber has been established in Tehran for five years and opened its office in Brazil last year, adding that since then the exports between Iran and Brazil have been doubled. He then pointed to the details of trade between the two states and exchange of goods between them.

He reiterated that Brazil is a fruit importer but so far Iran has not taken action for exporting fruits to Brazil but recently both sides have reached agreements for cooperation in this field.