Iran may invest as much as $1 billion in various projects in Armenia, expert says
03.02.2016,
15:20
Iran may invest as much as $1 billion in various projects in Armenia after getting access to $1 billion ‘frozen’ assets overseas after the implementation of a nuclear agreement last month, an Armenian expert in Iranian affairs, Vardan Voskanyan said today.
YEREVAN, February 3. /ARKA/. Iran may invest as much as $1 billion in various projects in Armenia after getting access to $1 billion ‘frozen’ assets overseas after the implementation of a nuclear agreement last month, an Armenian expert in Iranian affairs, Vardan Voskanyan said today.
Earlier this week an Iranian government spokesman Mohammad-Baqer Nobakht said that these assets had fully been released and ‘we can use them.” Much of the money from sales of the Iranian oil has been piling up in banks in China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey over the past few years.
"In view of the friendly relations between the two countries, as well as the fact that Armenia maintained good relations with Iran when it was under heavy Western sanctions, I do not think that this amount is too high," said Voskanyan.
In this context, Voskanyan stressed the importance of the recent statements made by Iranian and Armenian presidents that both countries are ready to boost their ties.
"Mutual visits between Armenian and Iranian officials will continue at various levels. Both Tehran and Yerevan are willing to enhance political, economic and cultural cooperation, as well as expand cooperation in the field of tourism," said Voskanyan.
According to him, after the lifting of sanctions, Iran reaffirmed its vision of Armenia as an important partner in terms of cargo and gas transit country, said Voskanyan.
According to Armenia’s National Statistical Service (NSS), the trade turnover between Armenia and Iran in 2015 decreased by 5.2% year-on-year to $276.3 million. Exports from Armenia to Iran declined by 8.2% to $78 million, while imports fell by 3.9% to $198.3 million. -0-
Earlier this week an Iranian government spokesman Mohammad-Baqer Nobakht said that these assets had fully been released and ‘we can use them.” Much of the money from sales of the Iranian oil has been piling up in banks in China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey over the past few years.
"In view of the friendly relations between the two countries, as well as the fact that Armenia maintained good relations with Iran when it was under heavy Western sanctions, I do not think that this amount is too high," said Voskanyan.
In this context, Voskanyan stressed the importance of the recent statements made by Iranian and Armenian presidents that both countries are ready to boost their ties.
"Mutual visits between Armenian and Iranian officials will continue at various levels. Both Tehran and Yerevan are willing to enhance political, economic and cultural cooperation, as well as expand cooperation in the field of tourism," said Voskanyan.
According to him, after the lifting of sanctions, Iran reaffirmed its vision of Armenia as an important partner in terms of cargo and gas transit country, said Voskanyan.
According to Armenia’s National Statistical Service (NSS), the trade turnover between Armenia and Iran in 2015 decreased by 5.2% year-on-year to $276.3 million. Exports from Armenia to Iran declined by 8.2% to $78 million, while imports fell by 3.9% to $198.3 million. -0-
