Iran, Armenia ink trade cooperation agreement

TEHRAN,July 18(MNA) – Iran and Armenia have signed an agreement to expand bilateral trade ties. Tehran Chamber of Commerce Chairman Yahya Al-e Es’haq and Yerevan Chamber of Commerce Chairman Andranik Aleksanyan signed the agreement in a meeting which was held in Yerevan on Tuesday. Iranian businessmen discussed with their Armenian counterparts the perspectives for further development of bilateral commercial and economic ties at business forum in Yerevan. Al-e Es’haq said in the meeting that cooperation with Armenia is on a quite high level, but there are administrative issues which should be regulated. Particularly, it refers to establishing mutually beneficial tariffs, facilitation of free movement of businessmen. In the meeting, Armenian Deputy Economy Minister Ara Petrosyan said that Iranian-Armenian trade turnover has valued at nearly 320 million dollars over the recent two years, but we need to increase this figure given the potential we have. Armenian-Iranian trade turnover valued at $317.7 million in 2012, according to the National Statistical Service of Armenia. Armenian export hit $97.8 million. Armenia mainly exports to Iran ore fuel, oil products, bitumen, wax, plastics and plastic products, and aluminum products. Iran mainly exports to Armenia ore fuel, oil and oil products, bitumen, wax, plastics and plastic products, fertilizers, salt, limestone and cement.