The Governor of Russia's Astrakhan Region, Alexander Zhilkin, has met
the governor-general of Iran's Mazandaran Province, Ali Akbar Tahai,
and proposed that Iran restore its trade office in Astrakhan, RIA
Novosti reports, citing Zhilkin's press-service.
Zhilkin noted that fruits come to Russia from Turkey and Poland, while
Iran, a Caspian neighbour, produces citrus fruits in larger quantities
and of a good quality.
Ali Akbar Tahai said that he wants to unite efforts to improve
business in the Astrakhan Region and Iran through joint projects:
shipments of citrus fruits without intermediaries, establishment of
joint ventures, development of natural resources, improvement of air
links, usage of education and tourism potential. He also proposed the
foundation of a trade office of the Astrakhan Region in Mazandaran to
promote Astrakhan products in Iran.
Zhilkin said that Mazandaran is one of the main regional partners of
the Astrakhan Region in Iran. The main step would be the lifting of
infrastructure limitations that hinder Iranian businessmen from
entering the Russian market and Russian businessmen from entering the
Iranian market, he stated.
The governor of the Astrakhan Region also believes that Iran needs a
banking presence in Russia and a direct air link with Astrakhan. He
also raised the topic of the direct entrance of Iranian goods to the
Russian market through Astrakhan.
The meeting was concluded with signing of a protocol with all the
topics included.
