Iran seeks Japan's investment as stimulus to diversify economy

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged Japanese companies and businessmen for investments in the country's different economic sectors, Pres TV reported on Wednesday.

Iran is the safest destination for foreign investments in the troubled Middle East, and the Japanese businesses should seize the opportunity and promote their roles in the Iranian market, Zarif was quoted as saying.

The Iranian top diplomat made the remarks at a economic gathering bringing together the Iranian and Japanese businessmen in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Zarif, who is heading a large high-ranking political and economic delegation, arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday following the visits to India and China.

In the wake of terror threats destabilizing the Middle East region, "Iranians are enjoying peace," and under such circumstances, Iran can serve as a safe haven for investments and economic cooperation, Zarif told the meeting.

He described Iran as a corridor connecting Persian Gulf littoral states through its southern port city of Bandar-Abbas to Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Caucuses. This has helped the country to authoritatively engage with the international economy, he added.

He hailed Tehran-Tokyo cooperation in Afghanistan in the area of fighting drug trafficking, and said the two nations had much in common, which could lead to the expansion of their bilateral relations.

Zarif laid emphasis on bilateral cooperation in the environmental, automotive and pharmaceutical areas. Endit