Iran, France discuss promotion of economic relations

Head of the French Senate Financial Commission Philip Marini and Iranian Deputy Economy Minister Behrouz Alishiri stressed the need for the utilization of all the abundant capacities of the two sides to promote Tehran-Paris ties in all the various sectors, specially in economic domains. "The Islamic Republic of Iran wholeheartedly supports investments by foreign companies," Alishiri said during the meeting on Monday. He underlined the creation of necessary grounds for further cooperation between Iran and France, and said, "It is necessary to undertake planning for the expansion of appropriate investments and increasing the volume of trade balance between the two countries." Marini, for his part, voiced his country's readiness for the expansion of all-out ties with Iran, and said, "Improvement of international atmosphere, the grounds for activities of the private sector of foreign countries in Iran have been prepared more than before." European countries have shown willingness for the development of relations and cooperation with Iran following the implementation of Iran’s November nuclear deal with world powers. In February, French Ambassador to Tehran Bruno Foucher said his country is ready to broaden its trade cooperation with Iran. The envoy said the French delegation of more than 100 businessmen visiting Iran is preparing the grounds for more trade ties between Tehran and Paris. Foucher noted that more French companies and enterprises are willing to invest in Iran. “Some of the companies represented in this delegation were already active in Iran’s market and they are well familiar with this market. New companies have also come to Tehran to get familiar with Iran’s market,” said the top French diplomat. “I hope that this meeting will clear the way for the development of relations between Iranian and French trade and industrial sectors and remove obstacles to better ties,” said Foucher.