TEHRAN: Spanish ambassador to Tehran Pedro Antonio Villena Pérez said a 40-memebr high-ranking Spanish trade delegation is scheduled to visit Iran in early September to study investment opportunities in the country.
He made the statement in a visit in Tehran with Ali Akbar Farazi, the vice chairman of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA) for international affairs, the IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday.
The ambassador stated that Spanish Industry, Energy and Tourism Minister Jose Manuel Soria will lead the delegation, which will consist of Spanish traders and businessmen mainly active in the field of implementing infrastructure, development and road building projects.
Farazi for his part said that Spain has always adopted a positive approach toward lifting of sanctions against Iran.
Spain has also announced its readiness to provide Iran with transport services and equipment, according to Meqdad Rahimian, the director general for investment at Iran’s Ministry of Transport and Urban Development.
The official said that Spanish Public Works and Transport Minister Ana Maria Pastor Julian will visit Iran in the near future.
Spain was the 16th leading importer of Iranian non-oil goods during spring 2015, which corresponds to the first quarter of current Iranian calendar year, according to the Iran Customs Administration.
Iran exported $57.303 million of non-oil goods, mainly iron, saffron, grape and carpet, to Spain and imported $45.023 million of non-oil goods, mainly carbon electrodes, crane, printing ink and graph paper, from the country during the three-month period.
That was while Spain was the 22nd leading importer of Iranian non-oil goods in the previous Iranian calendar year (which ended on March 20, 2015), with importing $175.394 million of non-oil goods from Iran and exporting $184.693 million of non-oil goods to the Islamic Republic.
The European country was the 26th leading importer of Iranian non-oil goods in Iranian calendar year 1392 (March 2013-March 2014).
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Spanish Economy and Competitiveness Minister Luis de Guindos in a meeting in Madrid on April 15 called for improving relations in all areas of economy, especially in tourism and energy sectors.
