Lebanese and Iranian officials Tuesday called for strengthening economic cooperation between both countries and to take advantage of the lifting of sanctions on Tehran. This call came during the opening of an economic conference attended by Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, Economy Minister Alain Hakim as well as prominent Lebanese businessmen and traders.

Zarif said the cooperation between Lebanon and Iran will be strong and effective in economic fields, promising to remove all hurdles before mutual investments in both countries.

He added that the cooperation between the public and private sectors will be beneficial for both Lebanon and Iran.

Bassil urged Lebanese investors and companies to travel to Iran to explore investment opportunities in the areas of tourism, hotels, restaurants, fashion and jewelry.

“Whether we like Iran or not, we must benefit from the relations with this country,” the minister said.

He called on Iran to receive Lebanese-made products.

For his part, Hakim underlined the importance of the economic ties between Lebanon and Iran.

He reminded that a high-ranking Lebanese delegation visited Iran to examine business prospects.

Hakim added that this conference should create Lebanese-Iranian Businessmen Association to activate all forms of trade between the countries.

“The lifting of sanctions on Iran will pave the way for important opportunities for Lebanon on the economic levels,” he said.

In October 2010, Lebanon and Iran signed 17 agreements and MoU in the areas of agriculture, communications, energy (oil and gas), environment, handicrafts, health, higher education, information technology, media, tourism and trade.

One of the key agreements was an energy accord between Bassil and Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. Details of the agreement were not disclosed during the signing ceremony.

Hakim said that Lebanon and Iran should also discuss an acceptable legal framework to strengthen economic ties and increase the volume of trade.

Following the opening speeches, Lebanese and Iranian businessmen and traders reviewed effective ways to increase cooperation in various economic fields.

Source: AFP