Iran ready to help Armenia to control its mining resources adequately

ArmInfo. Iran is ready to help Armenia to control it's mining resources adequately, said the Executive Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Iranian FEZ "Aras" on the border with Armenia Mohsen Hadem Arab Bahi on January 27 on the sidelines of Armenian- Iranian business meeting.

According to him, Armenia has huge mining resources. Nevertheless as Mohsen Hadem Arab Bahi considers, Armenia should not sell this wealth in the form of raw materials. "We are ready to establish cooperation in mining products processing and its sale in the form of finished products worldwide", he said, noting Iran's reach background in the given sector.

Besides, the fruits in Armenia are of high quality. Again as the expert considers, it is not adequate to export them in raw form. The Iranian side is ready to support in this field via establishing joint entreprises, both in processing, packaging and sale in foreign markets, particularly in EEU.

Arab Bahi outlined another sector of possible cooperation. Armenia has vast pastures, which can be used to develop livestock, the Iranian expert noted. "Iran is in need of meat products", he said.

According to National Statistical Service of Armenia, the foreign trade turnover between Armenia and Iran in January-November 2016 totaled $219.3mln with a year-over-year decline of 13.4%.  In particular, export reduced by 6.1%  to $70.2mln, while imports declined by 16.5% to $149.1mln.