Lanka-Iran to enhance trade ties

S. Jamaldeen reporting in Tehran

IRAN: Co-operatives and Co-operative Development Minister Najeeb Abdul Majeed, signed an MoU with Iranian Cooperative Minister Mohammed Nazemi to enhance cooperation in the cooperative sectors of Sri Lanka and Iran.

Minister Majeed accompanied by Disaster Relief Services Minister Seyed Ameer Ali, Resettlement Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, MP M.F.M. Cassim and Co-ordinating Secretary Riaz Ismail, participated in the International Cooperative Trade Fair in Tehran recently.

The delegation also called on Iranian Housing Minister Saeedi Kia and briefed on the housing requirements in Sri Lanka.

Lankan Ambassador in Iran M.M. Zuhair told the Daily News that the Iranian Housing Minister had indicated interest to build 2000 housing units in Sri Lanka through housing cooperatives.

Zuhair said Iran is strong in the construction industry including construction of highways, fly-overs and housing.

We are happy that the Sri Lankan delegation's visit paved the way for construction of 2000 housing units in Sri Lanka.

He said the cooperative sector in Iran is very active. It is virtually a government within the government.

Large number of industrial, agricultural and dairy products are being marketed through hundreds of cooperatives, which purchase the products at guaranteed prices from the producers," he said.