Iran-Lanka to step-up economic ties

Colombo: Iranian and Sri Lankan officials are studying ways to develop economic cooperation to thwart the negative impacts of global financial crisis.

Iran's Minister of Economy and Finance Shamseddin Hosseini and Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism Milinda Moragoda discussed the issue in Tehran, according to ISNA.

The Iranian minister said that many economies are interdependent and that the US financial crisis can create enormous problems for them all.

'Contrary to anti-Iran propaganda and sanctions, Sri Lanka is expected to boost cooperation in trade and financial fields. Joint development projects worth more than $1.5 billion are an indication that bilateral ties between the two countries are growing,' Hosseini added.

Moragoda also called for the expansion of bilateral ties and closer cooperation.

The Sri Lankan tourism minister leading a four-member delegation arrived in Tehran Saturday to attend the 2nd International Conference on Investment Opportunities in Iran's Tourism Industry.