The said projects were inaugurated in Hamedan, Zanjan, and Golestan provinces, the Energy Ministry portal (known as Paven) reported.

Three of the mentioned projects including a wastewater treatment plant and some projects for the development of electricity transmission network were put into operation In Hamedan province, while two water projects were also inaugurated in Golestan and Zanjan provinces.

Under the framework of the A-B-Iran program, the Energy Ministry has inaugurated many projects to supply drinking water to the country’s rural areas.

The first phase of the A-B-Iran program (the acronyms A and B stand for water and electricity in Persian) was initiated in the Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended on March 19, 2020), during which 220 major projects with a total investment of 335.6 trillion rials (about $7.99 billion) were put into operation across the country.

In the second phase of the program that was carried out in the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20) 250 water and energy projects worth 500 trillion rials (about $11.9 billion) were inaugurated in several provinces.

The third phase of the program was officially started on April 6 and like the previous phases, this year, too, the Energy Ministry is planning to inaugurate numerous water and electricity projects in various provinces every week.

Earlier this month, Ardakanian had announced that since the beginning of the third phase of the program in the current calendar year 65 major energy projects worth 150 trillion rials (over $3.57 billion) have gone operational across the country.

Last week, the minister inaugurated 24 major water and electricity industry projects valued at 9.028 trillion rials (about $214.9 million) through video conferencing in eight provinces.

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As reported, promoting economic relations was the major focus of the mentioned meeting which was co-chaired by Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian and Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Recourses Daler Juma.

Speaking in the opening ceremony, Ardakanian underlined the long historical, cultural, and economic relations between the two countries and said: “Considering the will of the top leaders of the two countries, the implementation of approved agreements requires serious determination [by the two sides].”

“One of the important factors for the expansion of trade relations between the two countries is the establishment of banking relations between the two countries and it is necessary for both sides to take necessary steps in this regard,” the Iranian minister stated.

Welcoming the Tajik side’s proposal for the expansion of Iran’s industrial investments in Tajikistan using the country’s workforce and resources, Ardakanian said: “Solving banking problems is a prerequisite for the development of Iranian investments [in Tajikistan].”

Further in the event, Juma welcomed the Iranian delegation, saying: “the 14th session of the Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation between the two countries will create a special movement in the promotion and development of economic relations between the two countries.”

Referring to trade relations and trade balance between the two countries in the past few years, he said: “based on the two sides’ import and export data, there is great potential for improving trade relations between the two countries.”

He mentioned the cooperation between the two countries in the construction of a dam and a hydroelectric power plant as successful examples of cooperation between the two countries, both of which were designed and built by specialized companies and put into operation by the presidents of the two countries.

Juma also referred to the agreement between the two countries for the implementation of a project to complete the facilities of the Tajikistan Esteghlal Tunnel and noted that his country is ready to fulfill its financial obligations in this regard.

Ardakanian arrived in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Monday to participate in the 14th Iran-Tajikistan Joint Economic Committee meeting.

He is scheduled to meet with other Tajik officials on promoting economic relations.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iranian Minister of Energy Reza Ardakanian declared that the Islamic Republic of Iran is pursuing developing its electricity cooperation with Tajikistan.

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