Envoy: South Korea Willing to Boost Iran Trade
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – South Korean Ambassador to Iran Ryu Jeong-Hyun has stressed that the East Asian country’s willingness to boost economic cooperation with the Islamic Republic and said the level of bilateral trade should return to that of the pre-sanctions era.
Speaking at a meeting with the members of the Tabriz Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, in the northwestern city of Tabriz, the South Korean diplomat said areas of cooperation between Iran and S. Korea are limited to importing oil and exporting electronics and automobiles to the Islamic Republic.
He further emphasized that the two countries should try to expand their relations in various areas more than ever.
"I will do my best to strengthen Iran-Korea relations,” Ryu said, adding, "We are in a difficult situation but we are trying to improve these relations.”
In 2011, before the sanctions, Iran-Korea annual bilateral trade amounted to $20 billion, he said.
Unfortunately, the envoy added, it now stands at less than $7 billion, which is why Korean companies have reduced their workforce and staff. Small and medium-sized companies were forced to leave Iran, but we need to help these relationships grow.
Speaking at a meeting with the members of the Tabriz Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, in the northwestern city of Tabriz, the South Korean diplomat said areas of cooperation between Iran and S. Korea are limited to importing oil and exporting electronics and automobiles to the Islamic Republic.
He further emphasized that the two countries should try to expand their relations in various areas more than ever.
"I will do my best to strengthen Iran-Korea relations,” Ryu said, adding, "We are in a difficult situation but we are trying to improve these relations.”
In 2011, before the sanctions, Iran-Korea annual bilateral trade amounted to $20 billion, he said.
Unfortunately, the envoy added, it now stands at less than $7 billion, which is why Korean companies have reduced their workforce and staff. Small and medium-sized companies were forced to leave Iran, but we need to help these relationships grow.