Foreign investors can secure 100 percent land ownership for production purposes in Iran and will have the government’s assistance, Iranian Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh told an Iran Day ceremony in Expo Milano 2015 on Sunday.
The following is the translation of part of a report eghtesadnews.com has published on the industry minister’s comments and the ceremony at large:
At the ceremony also attended by Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati and a number of officials, both Iranian and Italian, the Iranian industry minister said countries attending the expo should take effective measures to promote healthy nutrition in the world.
“Of course industrial countries whose colonial practices in the past have interfered with the scientific, cultural and economic progress of African, Asian and Latin American nations should do more.
“Despite restrictions, Iran stands ready to help promote agricultural production in the world and invest in the agriculture and animal husbandry of countries which need help.”
He went on to say that Iranians have always been in favor of international development as well as global peace, cooperation and affinity.
Nematzadeh said, “At the close of the [Iran-Iraq] war [in 1988] it became clear that the neighboring country was the aggressor and that the Iranians had simply defended their land for eight years. The unjust economic sanctions too proved that Iran is committed to international regulations. We tapped into dialogue and patience to prove our truthfulness to the world and thus prevented another catastrophe in the Middle East.”
On economic cooperation with the rest of the world in the post-sanctions era, the Iranian industry chief said, “The West’s attitude toward Iran has changed. We are ready to allow foreigner access to our market for joint production. To that end, foreign investors face no restrictions and they can secure 100 percent land ownership for production purposes.”
In conclusion, he said Iran stands ready to establish cooperation with foreigners in the fields of tourism and large- or small-scale production.
Later in the day, Iran’s National Day stamp was unveiled in the exposition.
It is worth noting that the restaurant of the Iranian pavilion in the expo has proved very popular with visitors. For instance, the wife and daughter of the director of the expo and the wife of the Italian prime minister have praised the Iranian food. And staff members of the pavilions of Arab countries such as Qatar and the UAE regularly stop by the Iranian restaurant to grab a bite.
Renowned Iranian vocalist Salar Aghili performed at the event too.
