Lanka: Tehran President’s visit to boost trade ties

Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan Ambassador to Tehran, Muhammad Muhammad Zahir, said that the upcoming visit to Colombo of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will open a new chapter in the two countries' bilateral cooperation.

Talking to IRNA, he said the Sri Lankan government and nation attach great importance to President Ahmadinejad's visit. Ahmadinejad is to start a three-nation regional tour which will take him to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India.

While in Colombo, President Ahmadinejad is to discuss promotion of bilateral and regional cooperation with senior Sri Lankan officials. Several documents are expected to be signed by Iranian and Sri Lankan officials on bilateral cooperation.

The Iranian president is also expected to inspect a number of projects which are carried out jointly by the experts of the two countries.

On Tehran-Colombo trade and economic relations, he said the two countries enjoy amicable and longstanding economic ties. Referring to cultural and historical commonalties shared by the two nations, he said Colombo is trying to boost bilateral ties with all countries, particularly Iran.

Sri Lanka has been purchasing some 70 percent of crude oil from Iran in the past three decades, he said adding that his country's annual exports to Iran which included leather, tea, ceramics, rubber, and several agricultural products stood at US$ 75 million.

As to implementation of several development projects by Iranian companies in Sri Lanka, the envoy said President Ahmadinejad is to inaugurate several joint venture projects during his visit.