Tehran, Kuala Lumpur to double mutual trade

Tehran, Iran, Oct. 7

By Mehdi Sepahvand – Trend:

Iran and Malaysia are intent upon reviving their pre-sanctions trade level quickly and after that to double it in a short while, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Oct. 7 at a press conference with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Majib Razak in Kuala Lumpur.

“We have decided to turn the year 2016 into one of rapid improvement of mutual relations in economy, politics, science and culture,” the Iranian president stressed, ANA news agency reported Oct. 7.

Rouhani visited Malaysia after wrapping up his trip to Vietnam on Oct. 7. A high-ranking delegation accompanying Rouhani also discussed areas of interest with their Malaysian counterparts.

While in Hanoi in a meeting with Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc Oct. 6, Rouhani emphasized that the expansion of relations with Southeast Asian countries has always been Iran’s top priority.

He then said that removal of anti-Iran sanctions has already paved grounds for the two countries to enhance their economic ties.

“Tehran and Hanoi need to strengthen their banking relations first in order to facilitate any step towards the expansion of commercial relations,” Rouhani said.

The two leaders stressed the need to strengthen mutual banking relations as the first and most necessary action to be undertaken.

Rouhani also said Iran is ready to receive Malaysian companies for cooperation in oil, gas, and petrochemicals.

During the press conference it was also mentioned that Malaysia is going to boost its palm oil export to Iran and even establish a regional central office for palm oil export from Tehran.