Iran keen to renew trade, energy ties with Bangladesh
Iran is looking forward to welcoming the Bangladeshi finance minister and leading private sector representatives for the Tehran-Dhaka Economic Commission to renew bilateral cooperation in trade and energy after western sanctions on that country are lifted.
If everything goes well, we are expecting the sanctions to be lifted by the end of November, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters prior to his departure from Dhaka yesterday (Wednesday). He met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, foreign minister AH Mahmud Ali and other officials during his 24-hour visit to the Bangladeshi capital.
Addressing a crowded press conference at Hotel Sonargaon, the Iranian minister said his visit was successful. His talks with Bangladesh government representatives focused on areas of cooperation and exchange of visits between the two countries. He said Iran was preparing to resume business ties and cooperation in the energy sector with Bangladesh and OIC member nations, well ahead of the lifting of sanctions imposed on it over the nuclear weapons imbroglio.
We are also looking ahead to a visit by the Bangladesh energy minister, he added.
He mentioned that Bangladesh could benefit from its multilateral deals with China on the supply of gas.
Zarif iterated Irans firm opposition to Islamic extremists using violence for their political means, thereby tarnishing the image of Islam. He said he had expressed support to Bangladeshs fight against extremism during his meetings with the PM and foreign minister.
Meanwhile UNB adds: Javad Zarif said once the two countries have the Joint Economic Commission, there will be possibilities and the trade flow will flourish once the two countries will have mutual visits, including by the business community, benefiting both the countries.
Responding to a question in cooperation in the manpower sector, the Iranian foreign minister said they have a very strong workforce and huge skilled ones in Iran but are not fully employed. He, however, said they will be looking towards friendly countries if they need people in specialised sectors like health and others.
Explaining why he came to brief Bangladesh, the Iranian foreign minister said Bangladesh is an extremely important country for Iran as it stood for Iran in international forums. Bangladesh supported us in the course of our struggle.
Earlier Bangladesh leadership expressed the optimism that implementation of the nuclear agreement between Iran and global superpowers would contribute towards peace, stability and the wellbeing of people in the region and beyond.
