Iran urges private sector to partake in Sri Lanka's market

Iranian private sectors are ready to widen presence in Sri Lankan market and invest in its industry, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying by semi-official Fars news agency on Saturday.

"The Iranian private companies are interested in boosting their trade exchanges with Sri Lanka and Iranian firms are ready to made investment in that country's technical and engineering sectors," Zarif said in a meeting with the visiting Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya here on Saturday.

Beside economic fields, it is necessary for the promotion of ties between the two countries in political and parliamentary levels, Zarif said.

Sri Lanka is also interested in the expansion of relations with Iran in all arenas, Jayasuriya said, adding that "Removal of the sanctions (against Iran) has paved the ground for the further development of ties."

In a meeting earlier on the day, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and his Sri Lankan counterpart called for the removal of banking barriers impeding trade exchanges between the two countries.

"There is a need for finding a solution to the banking issues," Larijani was quoted as saying.

The Iranian parliament speaker also said that "The Iranian businessmen should spare no efforts to make of the opportunities created for imports and exports between Iran and Sri Lanka." Endit