BANDAR ANZALI, Gilan Prov -- A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on port cooperation was signed here on Saturday between Iran's Bandar Anzali port and Russia's Astrakhan.

According to the MOU, which was signed by the Governor General of Astrakhan province Anatoly Guzhvin and the Managing Director of Iran's Ports and Shipping Organization Donya Mali, the two ports are to cooperate in facilitating the shipment of wheat.

Managing Director of Gilan province Ports and Shipping Department Hadi Haq-Shenas said that currently Bandar Anzali could handle 12 freight vessels simultaneously.

"An average of 60-70 vessels harbor in Bandar Anzali and 200,000 tons of goods are shipped via the port per month," he added.

He pointed out that a project is underway to construct nine more wharves to the port.

Pointing to Bandar Anzali as the largest Caspian Sea port complex, Mali predicted that it would enjoy its current status for the next 10 years.

Anatoly Guzhvin, for his part, referred to the mutual friendship and the confidence developed between the two countries and underlined the broadening of Iran-Russia ties.

Guzhvin hoped that the ongoing fair will contribute to closer introduction of businessmen, industrialists and authorities of both countries to one another.

A one-week trade fair (September 7-13) on goods from Southern Russian provinces opened in Rasht on Saturday in a ceremony attended by Gilan province Governor General Masood Soltanifar and his Russian counterpart from Astrakhan province Anatoly Guzhvin.

Businessmen and industrialists from the Southern provinces of the Russian federation including Astrakhan, Stavropol, Mordovia, Volgagrad, Rostov and Penza have put on display various industrial products at the ongoing fair.

Guzhvin and the accompanying delegation visited Bandar Anzali port and fishery facilities.

The 120-member Russian delegation attending the fair comprises of senior administrators and economists from Southern Russia and a number of industrialists and traders.

An exhibition on handicrafts produced at Gilan province was also opened on the sidelines of the ongoing fair. The handicrafts exhibition comprises 100 pavilions.