TEHRAN: Iran Establishes A Trade Center In Armenia

IRAN ESTABLISHES A TRADE CENTER IN ARMENIA

Fars News Agency, Iran
Nov 18 2006

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran is scheduled to found a trade center
in its northern neighbor, the Republic of Armenia, an official from
the country’s Trade Development Organization said.

The deputy director of Iran’s Trade and Development Organization
for Logistics and Management Development Afghahi pointed to the
significance of the Armenian market and enthusiasm of Iranian
traders for conducting business activity in that country, and added,
"In addition to the inclination of Iranian and Armenian businessmen
to increase exchanges, the historical background shared by the
two nations, existence of the Armenian minority in Iran and the
importance of the two countries’ relations, specially with regard to
the establishment of stability in the region, have all encouraged our
organization to give top priority to the expansion of exports to the
Armenian market, specially in technical and engineering grounds."

He said Iran-Armenia trade exchanges, currently standing at $200 mln,
show an increase of $10 mln compared to that of the last year, adding
that Iran-Armenia trade balance amounts to $140 m in favor of Iran
at present.

As regards the present conditions in the Armenian market, he said
that Armenia’s total imports amount to $1.8 bln meaning that Iran’s
exports to Armenia constitute 9% of the latter’s total imports.