TEHRAN (Iran News) –Head of the Supreme Council of Marine Industries’ Secretariat Saeed Jafari said with the current positive approach seen in the talks between the two states during President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi’s visit, China has expressed readiness to participate in Iran’s maritime projects.

Considering the positive negotiations between the two sides during the recent visit of President Ebrahim Raisi to China, the Chinese have expressed readiness to participate in all Iranian marine projects, Jafari said.

According to the official, during president Raisi’s visit to China, the Iranian party held talks with the representatives of some major Chinese maritime companies and good agreements have been reached.

“Considering that China is one of the world’s largest maritime producers and has large and capable companies in this field, during the recent trip we had negotiations with one of these companies, and good agreements were achieved,” Jafari said.

He noted that the main focus of the discussions between the two sides has been on technology transfer for manufacturing large-scale vessels.

“Currently, we have good companies in this field, but because our companies are still green in the construction of many vessels, it is better to have another experienced company as a consultant with us,” the official added.

Supplying major parts and equipment that cannot be produced domestically, has been also among the major issues the two sides agreed upon in the marine field, according to Jafari.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi was on a three-day state visit to China starting February 14.

Jafari went on to say that both sides had an agreement in the field of investment in manufacture, adding that China announced readiness for joint investment in the field of completing shipbuilding yards in the country where Iran is unable to complete it.

He added that currently the country should systematize its demands to reach the final agreement with China, adding that the approach of the council is to connect the active private sector to the Chinese counterparts because the private sector comparing to the state-run is more stable in decision making and implementing the project.

Jafari went on to say that currently the council has found no company as its target and it is studying because it wants to find a group to be more flexible in terms of structure, accessibility and geographical..

He noted that Iran could form a consortium with presence of manufacturer, part-maker and even exploitation in order to talk with Chinese groups but in the field of maritime, the country has so far been unable to form consortium and the council is to choose a group as the ground for this joint cooperation.

Jafari went on to say that although different Chinese companies are facing Iranians, they pursue a joint integrated policy and if we want to choose a group for joint cooperation in the field of maritime, their cooperation should be very high.

Touching on the continuation of talks, he said that he predicts the Chinese negotiating side in the maritime field would return to Tehran early April and the talks will continue in the country and expressed hope that till their making decision for finalizing the talks, Iran would create a proper ground.

He reiterated that the Chines have no limitation in the investment volume, adding that in the past Chinese used to refrain from joint cooperation but in recent talks they have shown their will fo cooperation.