Iran, Venezuela enjoy ‘excellent relations’ : Iranian minister

TEHRAN, Dec. 10 (MNA) – Iran’s minister of trade, mines and industry said Iran and Venezuela enjoy excellent relations; expresses hope for improved trade ties. The Trade Promotion Organization official website report said that Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh and Rodolfo Clemente Marco Torres, Venezuelan Minister of Economy and Banking and deputy-president in economic affairs met in Tehran to discuss ways of improving relations. Nematzadeh was quoted by the report as saying that “the government actively seeks ways to eliminate barriers caused by sanctions in the way of trade and cooperation with Venezuela.” “Late Hugo Chavez had placed prime importance on the relations with Iran; he made Venezuelan government to resume high-profile relations with Iran launched during his term in office,” Nematzadeh told the Venezuelan official. Both sides highlighted cooperation within OPEC framework; they also exchanged opinions on agreeing on facilitations to provide Venezuela with essential goods via Iran, import of mineral raw material and pharmaceuticals. They also concluded that an Iranian trade and economic delegation visit Venezuela to implement the articles of agreements signed here in Tehran and to extend cooperation. The 8th Iran and Venezuela joint economic commission met in September in Caracas, where both sides set future cooperation in culture, sports, youth, industry, research, health, energy and mines and trade as target objectives. Nematzadeh called all traders and businessmen to ‘participate in global events’ to find competitive capabilities in international markets, since, he believed, “only through competition could domestic industrial entrepreneurs face the challenge imposed by the influx of Chinese low-cost goods.” He also demanded that the quality of domestic productions be in a level capable of competing with European and Chinese rivals in price and quality.