RASHT, Gilan Prov. -- President Mohammad Khatami on Wednesday called on all those involved in the country's tea production sector to help the government settle existing problems facing the tea industry.

Addressing a large group of local residents of Langaroud, the Iranian president underlined the need for active participation of the private sector in the tea industry.

"If planning are made to promote quality and quantity of the Iranian tea, the product will undoubtedly attract international markets," he stressed.

Regretting the fact that the country is still burdened by the need to import tealeaves, he said marketing is an important issue, which should be paid attention to by both the private and public sectors.

Underlining the need for appropriate planning in the area of exporting Iranian tea to world countries, particularly the Central Asian states, he emphasized that the quality of Iranian tea is not lower than those of India and Sri Lanka.

Referring to the city's great potentials in different areas of agriculture, gardening, handicrafts, food industries and machine manufacturing, he expressed the hope that existing problems would be settled through measures taken by the government and the h elp of the people.

Prior to the president's speech, several local officials briefed the president on the status of the city, IRNA reported.

President Khatami arrived in this northern Iranian province on Monday morning for a four-day official visit.

The president inaugurated several development projects, including construction operations for the Qazvin-Rasht-Anzali railway track.

thr 040 khatami-gilan-tea /eco/ khatami calls for improvement of quality of iranian tea rasht, gilan prov, oct 2, irna -- president mohammad khatami on wednesday called on all those involved in the country's tea production sector to help the government settle existing problems facing the tea industry.

addressing a large group of local residents of langaroud, the iranian president underlined the need for active participation of the private sector in the tea industry.

"if planning are made to promote quality and quantity of the iranian tea, the product will undoubtedly attract international markets," he stressed.

regretting the fact that the country is still burdened by the need to import tea leaves, he said marketing is an important issue which should be paid attention to by both the private and public sectors.

underlining the need for appropriate planning in the area of exporting iranian tea to world countries, particularly the central asian states, he emphasized that the quality of iranian tea is not lower than those of india and sri lanka.

referring to the city's great potentials in different areas of agriculture, gardening, handicrafts, food industries and machine manufacturing, he expressed the hope that existing problems would be settled through measures taken by the government and the help of the people.

prior to the president's speech, several local officials briefed the president on the status of the city.

president khatami arrived in this northern iranian province on monday morning for a four-day official visit.

the president inaugurated several development projects, including construction operations for the qazvin-rasht-anzali railway track.