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IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TTEHRAN – Head of Iran Lebanon Joint Commercial Committee  says Lebanon is a free country in terms of its economy and it has free trade agreements with Arab League and EU states, and it provides a good ground for Iran to take advantage of it as Lebanon is ready for free trade with Iran.

In an interview, Mr. Amir Taghaddosi pointed to recent developments in Lebanon especially the devastating blast in Beirut and economic turmoil in the country, adding that after designation of Mostapha Adib for premiership, it is expected the country to recover from economic hardship.

He added economically, Lebanon is a free country, and imports and exports are done easily and banking transactions with international banks are done with ease. He admitted that in recent months and due to political conflicts and the devastating blast in Beirut, the country has been challenging in all economic sectors and in banking transactions, too.

Taghaddosi noted that Lebanon’s national currency has been devalued and U.S. dollar is traded now for 9,000 Lebanese pounds while the price was 1500 pounds for one dollar, saying that now there are several rates for the forex, and several banks are closed due to the rush of people to take their money back.

He said this committee has been set for two years and since its first day it has tried to change the mindset of Lebanese officials towards having economic relations with Iran. He added that Lebanon has free trade agreements with Arab League and EU countries, and it was a good opportunity for Iran to take advantage of it but recent incidents in Lebanon have restricted these opportunities.

He also criticized Iran’s Central Bank and government policies on the forex commitment, claiming it has strongly affected Iran’s trade with Lebanon.

Taghaddosi said that if Iran wants to be an influential country in Lebanon, it should boost its trade with this country. He further said a country like Turkey, despite having a pale role in Lebanon’s political scene, has strong economic interaction with the country.

He added that the committee has identified all problems in way of Iran’s trade with Lebanon, noting transportation is the biggest headache. He went on to say that Lebanon has land border with Syria and Israel and currently the land route has been intercepted due to war in Syria and only Tripoli route is open.

Tagaddosi stated that transfer of money and banking transaction is the other hinder, reiterating that currently transfer of Iranian traders’ money with Lebanon is carried out through Turkey and Dubai while it is impossible in Lebanon.

He admitted that Lebanese banks avoid cooperating with Iranians because of their fear of the U.S. sanctions.

Taghaddosi also said that the Lebanese are ready for free trade agreement with Iran but Iran has announced free trade deal is impossible and it prefers preferential trade. He said this suggestion of Iran was welcomed by Lebanon but so far it has not come into effect.

He reiterated that Lebanon can be a good hub for trade of Iranian goods with African and Latin American markets, and imports of goods whose imports face problem due to the sanctions.

He said almost 70 percent of goods are imported into Lebanon through Beirut Port but Iranian goods are exported to Lebanon via Tripoli.

He concluded that after Beirut blast, the country badly feels the shortage of goods and Iran can take advantage of it in favor of it.

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Reacting to the latest remarks by Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Sunday that Aboul Gheit had better “stop making divisive remarks under the influence of certain regional states.”

“I remind you (Aboul Gheit) of the fact that you are the secretary general of the Arab League not a mere promoter of the policies of certain states with special behaviors and manners which stand in contradiction with the fate and interests of Arab and Muslim states of this sensitive region of the world,” Qassemi said.

“The Islamic Republic has established balanced and wise relations with most regional states and neighbors based on cooperation, dialogue, common interests, mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs with due attention to the rights of neighborliness and regional security, stability and interests,” the Foreign Ministry website quoted the spokesman as saying.

This is a fundamental and long-term policy which Iran has pursued so far and will do so in future, he added.

Qassemi further said that Iran has stood by regional states more firmly than ever in the times of need and when requested by them, and has constructive exchanges with their nations and governments.

Iran believes that the main audience of Gheit’s remarks should be the very states which spend billions of dollars each year from their nations’ wealth to purchase security from extra-regional states, the Iranian spokesman added.

“But what they achieve at the end of the day is just insults and a growing concern over their future. As a neighbor and Muslim state in the region, we are deeply regretful to see that such a situation has dominated the region,” Qassemi deplored.

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