Iran, France Keen to Enhance Trade Ties after JCPOA
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stressed on Wednesday that there is no obstacle in the way of expansion of business ties between Iran and France, as he visited Paris after termination of anti-Tehran sanctions under a landmark nuclear deal with world powers.
The Iranian president and his 120-strong delegation of business leaders and cabinet ministers held a meeting with executives of some 20 major French companies after arriving in Paris.
After Italy, France is the second leg of President Rouhani’s first foreign trip after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany), took effect.
“I believe that your presence in this meeting also signifies (your) readiness for partnership in Iran’s economy, which is full of advantages and potentials,” the president told the French business people.
He also underlined the necessity for banking and insurance arrangements to be made to set the stage for the revival of economic interaction between the two countries.
President Rouhani further voiced Iran’s preparedness to attract French investment and new technologies.
Enumerating the golden opportunities for Tehran-Paris business ties, he said the two sides can cooperate in energy, oil, gas and petrochemical industry, agriculture, new technologies, automotive industry, mining, telecommunication, renovation of Iran’s civil air fleet and railroad system, tourism, development of port cities, as well as academic interaction.
“Tehran-Paris cooperation not only will not harm anyone, but will serve the interests of the Middle East region and peace and stability,” he added.
Elsewhere in the meeting, French Foreign Minister Lauren Fabius, Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron, and CEOs of a number of leading French companies expressed their views on the future business cooperation with Iran.
Airbus Chief Executive Fabrice Bregier, who was present at the meeting, said that he held talks this month in Tehran with government and Iran Air officials that could lead to the rapid sale of aircraft to Iran.
“We are at the disposal of our Iranian counterparts to help renew the fleet,” Bregier said.
