TEHRAN (Iran News) – Ambassador of Nigeria to Iran Yakub Santuraki Suleiman in meeting with head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine ad Agriculture (ICCIMA) Mr. Hossein Salahvarzi explored ways for removing hurdles and finding ways for enhancing trade volume between Ira and Nigeria.
In the meeting, Salahvarzi said that the strategies of ICCIMA as the representative of the private sector is in line with the general policies of the government for broadening relations with different countries especially with African states. He added that Africa especially Nigeria is important for Iran as the gateway to the West Africa and Tehran does not consider Nigeria as an exporting oil country and it is well aware of different capacities of Nigeria like its membership in the West Africa Union and equal tariff among those countries which can be a good capacity for Iranian producers and exporters.
He added that in this line, the ICCIAM is interested in simultaneous with reinforcement of political ties between the governments of the two states, their chambers and private sectors also take big strides for broadening relations in order that the trade exchanges concurrent with political relations can broaden.
Then Salahvarzi pointed to the fields for cooperation between the two states and said that there are capable companies in Iran in the field of technical and engineering services that they can participate in construction of houses, roads and infrastructural installations. He went on to say that since the demands for gas in Nigeria’s market is on the market both countries can work both in the oil and gas projects and the ICCIMA can introduce companies in the field of liquefied gas supply in Nigeria. He added that both countries can also have good cooperation in export and transfer of technology of agro machineries because of empowered Iranian companies in the field of equipment and machineries.
Salahvarzi then pointed to Iran’s need to the main agro products like rice and cooperation in the extra-terrestrial agriculture can be one of the good grounds for bilateral cooperation.He also pointed to the medicines and medical equipment as the other fields for cooperation between the two states either in export or in joint investment. He added that soon a video conference will be held between the chambers of commerce of both countries for presenting capacities for economic cooperation. He also reiterated that ICCIMA welcomes exchange of trade delegations or holding exhibition on Iranian products in Nigeria.
He added that both countries should work to resolve their banking problem for trade through launching a financial mechanism for exchange of money. He reiterated that transport is the main and biggest hurdle for trade between the two countries and direct shipping line is the prerequisite for enhancing bilateral trade and both countries should focus on it.
Then Nigerian Ambassador Mr. Suleiman, for his part, felicitated Mr. Salahvarzi for being elected as the head of the ICCIMA and said that the trade volume of Iran and Nigeria is low and expressed hope that with the role making of ICCIMA especially after recent visit of Iranian President to Africa would open new doors for broadening trade between Iran and Nigeria. He then pointed to the abundant capacities of Iran for cooperation and pointed to some fields for bilateral cooperation.
He said that soon the issues raised by the ICCIMA will be discussed in the Nigerian government and the will be seriously pursued.
Suleiman admitted that the main problems are the issues of money transfer and transport that they should be resolved soon.
He then pointed to the hiatus in action for the launch of direct flight between Tehran and Lagos and reiterated that immediately after its launch, problems related to transport will be resolved to some extent. He noted that there is a wrong notion among Nigerian businessmen which prevent them from visiting Iran which should be corrected.
