Iran-Australia chambers of commerce welcome expansion of economic ties

EghtesadOnline: Members of Iran-Australia Chamber of Commerce stressed on Monday that the upcoming visit to Iran by an Australian economic delegation will help growing of economic relations between Tehran and Canberra.

News ID: ۷۶۹۶۲۰

22 September 2016

According to the website of the Chamber, the members also stressed that West’s unfair sanctions against Iran hindered development of bilateral cooperation between Iran and Australia in the past.

A ranking Australian economic delegation is to visit Iran in in coming days, reports IRNA.

The Australian Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism Steven Ciobo will head the 30-member delegation which is to arrive in Iran Sept 27 to open the representative office of Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) in Tehran as a symbol of Canbera’s interest in expanding relations with Iran.

According to the website of Iran-Australia Chamber, new phase of trade cooperation between Tehran and Canberra requires fresh plans to be made by entrepreneurs from both countries.

Australian resources and agricultural businesses had already voiced optimism that they will be able to get more access to Iran after Australia announced it plans to reopen a trade office in Tehran.

'Austrade will provide support to Australian businesses immediately from its office in Dubai, and will establish a permanent presence within the Australian Embassy in Tehran from the second half of 2016,' a spokesman for Minister Ciobo had said in March.

Mr Ciobo said trade was about $350 million a year under sanctions, and would only rise after the Iran nuclear deal, the spokesman added.

'The recent lifting of sanctions has created opportunities for Australian business in areas we excel: mining equipment, technology and services sectors and the supply of our agricultural commodities such as barley and wheat,' he said.

'Austrade has also identified opportunities for commercial co-operation in the health and medical and education and skills training sectors.'

Austrade officials visited Iran in November after Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop visited the country in April 2015.