News in brief: Iran and Serbia are looking to increase trade exchanges, especially in the field of agriculture. The two countries have good relations and experience in various agricultural fields, which could help them to collaborate more effectively.
Iran and Serbia are looking to work together to increase trade exchanges, a news report claims.
Iranâs minister of agriculture, Mohammad Ali Nikbakht, said the partnership is expected to expand relations in economic areas, especially in agriculture.
Receiving the president of the National Assembly of Serbia in Tehran recently, Nikbakht emphasized the amicable relations between both countries as a stepping stone towards achieving mutually beneficial goals.
He noted that, for example, the bulk of Iranâs phosphate fertiliser is sourced from Serbia. The minister further hinted at bartering the urea which is in abundance in Iran, in exchange for phosphate fertiliser from the eastern European country.
Since 2014, Iran’s urea fertiliser production has increased by 7% year-on-year. Urea production in the country increased from 1.36 million tons in 2002 to 5.03 million tons in 2016, according to a report, representing an average annual growth rate of 16.42%.
The Iranian agriculture minister disclosed that both countries enjoyed good experience in various agricultural fields which would help enable seamless experience sharing. He highlighted Iranâs agriculture assets in the field of fisheries and aquaculture, describing them as favourable.
Nikbakht further added that the country’s access to free waters in the Sea of Oman, the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea is an advantage. Thus, he is calling for investments from the visiting delegation from Serbia.
Vladimir Orlic, in his remarks, noted the high potentials for both parties to boost their ties in all fields especially in the field of agriculture. He maintained that relations between both countries have been based on mutual respect, which could aid more collaborative efforts.
