Iranian politico-economic delegation on the last stop of its European tour attended Latvian-Iranian Economic Forum in Riga on Thursday.
Speaking at the forum Iran Chamber of Commerce President Mohsen Jalalpour insisted that restoring banking relations between Iran and European banks is the country’s top priority. “We expected no barriers on the way of restoring our banking relations with the world following removal of international sanctions but some European banks are reluctant to re-engage Iranian banking system which has resulted in protests from Iran’s economic and political figures,” he said.
Anti-Iran sanctions, including banking restrictions, ended in January under a deal with world powers in which Tehran agreed to limit some of its nuclear activities.
Jalalpour further added that a significant part of the negotiations by the Iranian delegation in Latvia goes to banking relations. A group of representatives from Iranian banks were part of the 60-strong economic delegation headed by Iran Chamber president. The Iranian banking group met with their Latvian counterparts discussing lifting barriers to international and Latvian banking ties with Iran.
“We need to remove these restrictions. Any country that acts as the pioneer will receive a special position in Iran economy,” Jalalpour said.
Iran heaven for foreign investors
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who is leading the Iranian politic-economic delegation in Europe also addressed the Iranian-Latvian trade meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel saying there are many Iranian traders accompanying him “who are determined to contract with their Latvian partners”.
FM Zarif reassured the Latvian businessmen, traders, investors and economic activists that Iran is a very safe country for investment and trade. “Iran is actually heaven for foreign investor and I think, now, the time is ripe for developing economic activities in both Iran and Latvia, and the two countries can expand not only economic ties but also political and cultural cooperation,” he added.
The senior diplomat stressed that as Iran is one of the top ten countries in nano-technologies and bio-technologies, the cooperation can be of the highest benefit for both countries.
The Iranian delegation wrapped up its European tour of four countries of Poland, Finland, Sweden and Latvia on Thursday evening.