Bahrain-Iran economic commission gets down to work

Published March 2nd, 2001 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

Iran and Bahrain’s second Cooperation Commission got down to work in Tehran on Monday night, February 26, under the joint-chairmanship of both countries' ministers of Trade. Delivering the first address of the meeting, Iranian Trade Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari, said that Iran’s policy of détente in recent years has precipitated an expansion of regional economic and commercial relations.  

 

"When President Khatami's cabinet took charge of the affairs in Iran, the number of the markets to which Iranian goods were exported reached 160 from the previous 123, as a result of the president's détente policy," he said, as quoted by IRNA, the official news agency. Shriatmadari noted a 40 percent increase in trade between Iran and Saudi Arabia as a result of the policy.  

 

Bahraini minister of trade, Ali Saleh Abdullah Al-Saleh, also met with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. The official IRNA agency quoted Khatami as saying that "the development of friendly relations between Iran and Bahrain is an important support for the security of their two countries and their political relations." "Nothing can be more important and have more influence on the stability and security of the region that the collaboration and understanding of the countries in the region," he added. 

 

Al-Saleh said that the first meeting of the countries’ joint cooperation commission had resulted in the doubling of trade between Iran and Bahrain, and he noted that he expects similar results from the second gathering. The Bahraini minister talked of a "100 percent increase" in trade between the two countries. "We will do everything in our power to develop our commercial relations to the maximum extent over the coming years," he added. 

 

Al-Saleh also met Iranian Industries and Mines Minister Eshaq Jahangiri, announcing afterwards "Bahrain reckons cooperation with Iran could be profitable in terms of stocks of raw materials and industrial products". Al-Saleh also announced his government’s readiness to join Iran's north-south line project. — (Albawaba-MEBG)

© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)

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