Alireza Yavari, the deputy for international affairs of Iran Chamber of Commerce, said on Tuesday that the lack of strong transportation infrastructure is the main obstacle to promoting relations between Iran and Namibia.
Yavari made the remarks during a meeting in Tehran with President of Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Charity Mwale Mwiya.
He said that far distance and the lack of a direct flight between Iran and Namibia is responsible for the low level of bilateral trade.
Noting that Iran and Namibia can cooperate in different pharmaceutical, food and agricultural areas, Yavari said that as these areas of cooperation have not been under the pressure of US sanctions, the two chambers of commerce can have more increased cooperation in these areas.
The president of Namibia Chamber of Commerce, for her part, voiced Namibia’s readiness for sharing experiences with Iran and making use of Iran’s experiences in processing agricultural products.
She said that Namibia is a meat exporter and a leading country in fisheries and fish breeding.
Mwale Mwiya also referred to Namibia’s adventure tourism attractions which she said can be used as one of the main areas of cooperation with Iran.
Iran and Namibia can also cooperate on processing precious stones including diamonds, she noted.
In the end, the two sides agreed for a visit to Iran by a Namibian delegation for cooperation on food, pharmaceuticals and agricultural areas.