Heading a high-ranking economic delegation, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic attended the Iran-Croatia economic forum at Iran Chamber of Commerce here in Tehran insisting on the importance of formation of a new business commission between the two countries with the aim of boosting economic relations.
Croatian President who was speaking at the Iran-Croatia economic forum following her negotiations with Iranian President Hasan Rouhani said that the forum was the combination of politics and economy and the chance should be sized. She further added: “Indeed it’s a privilege to me to be the first female president who is visiting the Iranian Chamber of Commerce and I hope that it will serve as a motivation for women both in Iran and Croatia.”
She further expressed hope the sanctions removal would help expand bilateral relations between the two countries. Transportation, medicine, food, electric power and shipbuilding are areas we are hoping to start our joint cooperation from, Croatia president said.
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic described the two nations’ level of economic cooperation as “inadequate” and underlined the need for promotion of mutual ties following the “good atmosphere” created with a lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. “The current level of bilateral economic relations between Iran and Croatia is not satisfactory and we need a joint commission to help increase the amount,” she said. “If we strengthen our relations with Iran, we would be able to cover the whole Middle East region economically,” she added.
Meanwhile, Iran Chamber of Commerce President Mohsen Jalalpour mentioned the positive relations between Iran and Croatia during sanctions period saying “the Croatian president visit to Iran would definitely accelerate mutual cooperation and joint plans”.
Jalalpour further mentioned the low level of business and trade relations between the two countries during post-sanctions period saying “the inconsiderable amount of economic exchange does not fit our good political relations.”
We hope that our businessmen try to boost bilateral relations, Iran Chamber of Commerce president said.
Jalalpour asked for more cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises in both countries in oil and gas, petrochemical industries, pharmaceutical manufacturing, shipbuilding, locomotive industries and tourism. He added that initiating joint projects in the mentioned fields would be a good start for more industrial and commercial cooperation between the two nations.
Iran and Croatia B2B negotiations followed the official speeches at the forum.