Emir of Riyadh Inaugurates Iran's Pavilion

November 25, 1998 - 0:0
RIYADH The Emir of Riyadh region Salman ibn Abd Al-Aziz, in a special ceremony, here Monday evening inaugurated Iran's first and largest exclusive exhibition abroad. IRNA correspondent in Riyadh reported that the head of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, deputies from Ministries of Economy and Industries, Saudi Agriculture and Commerce Ministers, a number of ambassadors in Saudi Arabia and other high-ranking Saudi official also attended the ceremony.

The head of Iran's chamber of commerce Alinaqi Khamoushi, the head of the export promotion center Mojtaba Khosrow-Taj and Managing Director for expansion and renovation of industries Akbar Torkan briefed the audience on Iran's plans for economic development. The exhibition has been held in line with Iran's policies of promotion of non-oil exports and its special relations with the Moslem countries, Saudi Arabia, in particular.

More than 150 public and private companies are displaying their products at the exhibition which is sponsored by Iran's Chamber of Commerce and the center for promotion for non-oil exports. The exhibition is held under 10,000 square meters of roofed area. Some 360 Iranian businessmen, merchants and industrialists are also participating in the fair. Some of the products on display in the seven-day exhibition include, agricultural and concentrated food items, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, automotive parts, paper, tires, health care and plastic materials, motorcycles, lorries, buses and engineering and technical services.

Speaking to IRNA correspondent and Arab reporters, Al-Aziz said ''the Saudi King supports expansion of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.'' He reiterated that the visit by the head of Iran's Expediency council Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to Saudi Arabia had an important role in strengthening the bilateral relations. The Saudi King's brother added that given the favarable atmospher prevailing between Iran and Saudi Arabia, it is necessary for the bilateral trade to expand.

Al-Aziz also stated that growing bilateral trade is a testimony to the good relations between the two countries, adding that the visits of Saudi Crown Prince Amir Abdullah and the head of consultative council Sheikh Mohammad ibn Ibrahim Al-Gubair to Iran also underline the growing ties. Lauding the quality and variety of Iranian products on display at the exhibition, he added, ''Iran has modern industries which is a source of pride for the Moslims and beneficial for the two countries.'' Referring to the differences between the two countries industrial make-up, he added that the two countries' industries can nevertheless be complementary, an incentive for the businessmen in both countries to boost their activities.

The Emir of Riyadh region stated that Saudi consumers want new goods and the Iranian products of good quality can find permenant place in the Saudi market, adding, ''hopefuly an exhibition of the Saudi Arabian products will also be held in Tehran in the near future.'' He concluded by expressing his country readiness to facilitate issuance of visas for Iranian businessmen.