President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Gholam Hossein Shafei and Cuban Ambassador to Iran Alberto Gonzalez Casals, in a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday, underlined the need for the removal of obstacles on the way of transportation between the two countries.
Speaking during the meeting, the Iran Chamber of Commerce president referred to an upcoming Iran-Cuba Joint Economic Commission meeting adding that the ICCIMA could set out a plan, to be presented at the event, for enhancement of bilateral economic cooperation.
Shafei regretted that despite deep political relations between Iran and Cuba, the two countries lack strong economic relations.
Noting that both Iran and Cuba are under arbitrary sanctions of the United States, he said that the good experiences of the two countries in neutralizing and bypassing the sanctions can be used as a base for further relations.
He said that both the Iran Chamber of Commerce and the Iranian government are eager to boost relations with Cuba. “Considering a partial easing of the coronavirus disease, the ground is more prepared for further economic exchanges. We are ready to dispatch trade delegations to Cuba and receive delegations from the country.”
Call for cooperation in pharmaceutical industries
In the meantime, the Cuban ambassador regretted that economic relations between Iran and Cuba are lagging behind the political relations.
Noting that his country is ready for expansion of cooperation with Iran, Casals said that joint cooperation of the two nations on making a coronavirus vaccine was a successful experience which has to be practiced in other areas.
He also said that Cuba wants cooperation with Iran in pharmaceutical industries, adding that his country also needs Iran’s partnership in Cuba’s mining, agriculture and food sectors.
The ambassador said that Cuba wants the investment of Iranian food companies which he said would be a win-win game as Cuba can serve as a base for exports of Iranian products to Latin American countries.
He also underlined the need for cooperation on tourism area, health tourism in particular, urging for launch of direct flights between Tehran and Havana.