Iran Daily Friday Armenia, Iran to broaden economic cooperation Iran and Armenia signed a memorandum of understanding in Tehran to enhance cooperation in the food industry, announced Armenian Ministry of Economic Development and Investment. The document was signed by Armenia's Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investment Emil Tarasyan and the Deputy Head of the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) Vahid Marandi Moqadam, ARKA reported. According to the ministry, the memorandum calls for developing and expanding cooperation between the parties on the exchange of legal information pertaining to food industry and non-alcoholic beverages, organizing training courses on halal products, certifying products for compliance with Iranian halal standards in Armenia as well as auditing and exchanging information on markets and implementing joint projects. During the meeting, Tarasyan said the memorandum would lead to an expansion of cooperation, enabling both tourists and businessmen to take advantage of the halal standards in the country. He further noted that Armenia is ready to expand cooperation with Iran in all sectors of the economy, and the halal standard will lead to an increase in trade between the countries. Earlier, Armenia's Economic Development and Investments Minister Suren Karayan said that the halal certificate will permit Armenian producers to export not only to Iran but also to all 57 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, trade between Armenia and Iran in 2016 showed a 14.7-percent decline from the previous year to $238.8 million. Armenia's exports to Iran fell by 8.4 percent to $74.8 million, while imports fell by 17.3 percent to $198.3 million.