ROME Italian Minister of Industries, Commerce and Handicrafts Enrico Letta's visit to Iran on Sunday is considered one of determining visits in the growing Iran-Italy trade ties.

During his three-day official visit Letta, who is heading a 120- strong delegation of Italian industrialists, businessmen and bankers, is scheduled to meet high ranking Iranian officials.

Letta put forth preconditions for expansion of economic ties with Iran, calling on Tehran to remove hurdles to expansion of bilateral trade.

When Letta was talking about respecting human rights, audience scoffed at him. Because terrorist activities by Italian Mafia, financial corruption among top officials as well as heavy drug trafficking are very common in Italy.

The holding of the joint seminar of Iran-Italy Chamber of Commerce is one of the planned meetings that will identify opportunities for industrialists and businessmen in the two countries.

The two countries are also slated to sign an agreement to build one of the world largest plastic producing outfits. Italy has become Iran's largest trading partner in recent years with their bilateral trade surpassing $2.4 billion in the first 10 months of year 2000, according to figures released by Italy Statistics Center.

Iran imported over 152,000 tons of commodities valued at $600 million during January and October 2000.

During the period, Italy imported over 8.58 million tons of raw materials valued at $1.8 billion, said the report.

The export of Iran's crude oil to Italy made up 88.2 percent of its total imports from Iran - an indication of imbalance in Italy's import from Iran, said the report.

Italy's other imports from Iran during the period included animal intestine worth 144 billion liras, textile 74 billion liras, iron and other metals 66 billion liras, agro-products about 40 billion liras, said the report.

During this period, Italy's major exports to Iran were mechanical equipment, machinery and pipes. (IRNA)