Tabriz, IRNA – Australia’s ambassador to Iran Lyndall Sachs on Wednesday said that numerous tradesmen and investors in Australia are interested in collaborating with Iranian businesses.
Sachs made the remarks in a meeting with the chairman of the Tabriz Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture Younes Zhaeleh, adding that Australia and Iran enjoy proper areas of cooperation in exchanging agricultural, mineral, medical, and educational fields.
As to collaboration in the fields of startups and universities between the two countries, she emphasized that the young and educated workforce in Iran has created a very high capacity for the country to develop cooperation with other countries.
The ambassador further noted that government does not play a key role in the Australian economy and that the private sector has a great say in the country’s economy, so given the fact that customs tariffs are low in Australia, grounds for mutual cooperation should be identified.
Australia has resumed normal flights after the COIVD-19 pandemic, she said, adding that Australian tradesmen are very active in the UAE and that numerous Australia-made goods are exported to Dubai and then re-exported to other parts of the world.
When the world is experiencing a hike in prices of many commodities, Iran is under sanctions, she said, noting that Australia is not happy with the imposition of sanctions on Iranians and that given the fact that foodstuff and medicines are not sanctioned, Australia and Iran can pursue trade ties, especially in these areas.
The Islamic Republic enjoys a very good geographical situation and is somehow a trade hub in the region, the ambassador said, adding that Chabahar Port can be used as the starting point to deliver cargo into Iran and then re-export to many other states.
For his part, Younes Zhaeleh pointed to the fact that East Azarbaijan province has appropriate industrial and agricultural capacities to be invested in by foreign investors.
The provincial official also noted that Tabriz, the capital city of East Azarbaijan province, and Australia have had a long-run collaboration in terms of export of carpets from Tabriz and import of wool from Australia.
Referring to the insufficient level of mutual trade between Australia and Iran, he expressed hope that trade relations between Australia and East Azarbaijan province will improve in the future.