India gives $100Mn as Credit to Iran

A USD 100 million line of credit being extended by the Government of India to Iran will give tremendous push to the bilateral trade between the two countries, Ambassador of Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr Gholam Reza Ansari said at an ASSOCHAM event held in New Delhi recently.

“Iran is likely to sign memorandum of understanding (MOUs) in various fields like transfer of gas, investments in infrastructure projects like roads, ports, airports, power and other sectors with India,” said Mr Yahya Ale-es-hagh, president of The Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture leading a 50 member Iranian business delegation at a meeting organised by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

Asserting that investments made by Iran based business into India are safe, the Iranian Ambassador said that government authorities need to implement their promises and long-term finances are required for further facilitation of businesses between both nations.

“There are tremendous opportunities for India’s gems and jewellery sector in Iran in terms of production, consumption and marketing,” said Mr Yahya. “We are ready to have mutual collaboration and establish a stock market for gems and jewellery from India in the free zones of our country.”

“Research and new technologies, education, dairy and food processing sector, machinery and infrastructure are certain key areas with opportunity for mutual collaboration between India-Iran,” said Mr Yahya. “Iran is ready to invest in projects like oil refineries, power plants, construction, engineering and technology.”

“Growth in consumption of these products will create a central market in the region leading to profitable marketplace,” he added. “As you know we are currently importing about 1 million tonne of rice and sugar per annum in our country and big importer of meat and other such products, while on the other hand we are having products that are ready to be exported to India like fertilisers, petrochemicals and others.”

“The field of hydrocarbons, oil and gas and various other related activities provide greate opportunities for mutual collaboration,” said Mr Anil K. Agarwal, chairman, ASSOCHAM International Affairs Council and past president.

“Apart from projects being negotiated between both governments, there is vast scope for industries in both the countries to co-operate in areas like export of the new found very useful natural resource of gas from Iran and other neighboring countries, food processing, biotechnology, tourism, steel and pharmaceuticals,” said Mr Agarwal. “In addition to traditional exports, a vast amount of new and untapped potential in India-Iran trade relations exists in the form of new kinds of cooperation such as-technology transfer, joint production and marketing in India and neighbouring countries, joint research and development, network building, and KPO’s.”

“Indian companies can also forge strategic tie-ups with their Iranian counterparts to exchange technical expertise in fields such as electronics, renewable energy and telecommunications, besides upgradation of seaport facilities and better logistics,” added the ASSOCHAM past-president.