Iran, Germany discuss boosting economic ties

TEHRAN, Nov. 03 (MNA) – Expressing interest in expanding economic relations with Germany, Iran’s economy minister said Iran is eager to take Germany’s assistance in producing auto engines provided that they will be produced in Iran. In a joint meeting with the visiting German delegation led by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology Ilse Aigner, Iran’s Nematzadeh expressed Iran’s willingness to expand ties with German companies by pursuing strategic and long-term goals; “majority of Iranian industries have been developed on the basis of German technology and we have opted for joint venture with foreign investors in order to achieve industrial development,” he noted. “Iran is eager to gain a share of Germany’s regional market as well due to the fact that Germany can take Iran as the center of Industrial, mining and trade activity,” said industry minister stressing that Iran has always looked for peace and cooperation despite difficulties like war or sanctions. Enumerating the country’s climatic and natural advantages as well as possible cooperation grounds with Germany Nematzadeh said, “various fields of cooperation between the two countries include power and energy industries, high-tech, electronics, medical equipment, lights and heavy commercial vehicles, buses, diesel engines, steel, tires, renewable energy and food industries.” The official further announced Iran’s interest to invest in development of chain markets, small and medium industries as well as industrial clusters; “we are planning to produce three million vehicles per year and German engines can be used in products like buses or trucks provided that they will be produced in Iran.” “Currently, we need to produce city buses with CNG-based engines; creation of e-government is also being seriously pursued,” said Nematzadeh. Referring to the country’s 24-million-ton steel production capacity, industry minister underlined, “we want the figure to reach 55 million tons per year as well as to increase aluminum capacity from 450 thousand to 1.5 million tons over 10 years.” Bavarian State Ministry Ilse Aigner, for her part, expressed Germany’s interest for business cooperation with Iran adding “our aim is to conduct long-term investment in Iran in which legal stability plays an important role.” “Germany is capable in the industrial sector and we have begun working on digital industry by establishing a related research center,” she noted.