ASHKHABAD -- The six-day exclusive Iranian fair in Turkmenistan, which opened here on May 23, wound up its activities on Wednesday.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Iran's Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ibrahim Deraz-Gisou termed Turkmenistan as a developing country which needs to broaden its relations with other states.

Deraz-Gisou referred to age-old ties between Iran and Turkmenistan as well as their long common border, and said that Iran is prepared to forge the most extensive cooperation with Turkmenistan.

He added that the fair contributed to broader ties between the two countries and that industrialists and producers of goods and services should make use of this to present their products.

Both sides, he said, are acquainted with trade laws and regulations of one another and observance of commercial ethics is a prerequisite to success in trade.

He said that Turkmenistan's up-to-date trade laws have been compiled by the economic section of Iran's embassy, which is ready to provide Iranian businessmen with information in this respect.

Also, Golestan Province Deputy Governor General in Charge of Planning, Administrative and Financial Affairs, Yaghmour Gholizadeh told the same ceremony said that the fair was aimed at exporting Iran's technical and engineering services to Turkmenistan.

He pointed out that this was Iran's second fair in Turkmenistan to be arranged by Golestan Province International Fair Company (GIFC) and said, "GIFC was established by the province's export development committee to boost non-oil exports." He said that the first fair was held in Turkmenistan in winter of 2000.

Referring to the expertise gained in the first fair and the measures currently underway in Turkmenistan towards its development, he said, "This year's fair was mainly aimed at introducing Iran's technical and engineering services in various fields." Around 45 Iranian companies participated in the fair held in Turkmenistan and presented 80 various goods as well as technical and engineering services, IRNA reported.

At the end of the ceremony, the fair's organizing company presented special badges of appreciation to the participants.