The Alpine region of Carinthia in Austria hopes to cooperate with Iran and is looking forward to joint investments, the regions’ Minister of Economy Christian Benger said.
Benger, also a regional minister of tourism and culture, said “the state of Carinthia is well versed and has ample experience in water and solar energy management, recycling and tourism. With the know-how it can play a significant role in assisting Iran’s development process.”
Commenting on collaboration in solar power, he said an Iranian team will soon visit the factory manufacturing solar panels in Carinthia, after which “preliminary talks will commence” on joint cooperation, IRNA reported.
On the prospects for joint action, he said, “By sharing know-how and technology of recyclable plastics, we can replace the regular plastic bottles with reusable ones.”
Banking Ties
Announcing that three Austrian banks have now begun working with Iranian banks, he acknowledged that the links are not yet fully developed.
The three Austrian banks are Oberbank and Raiffeisen active in international trading and Kontrollbank which oversees monetary transactions between Austria and the outside world.
“Banking links between the two countries will soon be normal and banks on both sides will be committed to widening the scope of relations and facilitating business activities.”
Christian Benger visited Iran as the head of a trade-tourism delegation this week and conferred with economic experts and representatives of the private sector.
Future Needs the Past
“Iran has fascinating historical structures, sites and areas that are very interesting to tourists” said Benger, adding that “the future is in need of the past and the historical monuments need to be preserved for future generations.”
“In working with Iran, the state of Carinthia can do an effective job in facilitating two-way tourism and safeguarding and renovating historical sites.”
The Carinthian Ministry of Economy and Tourism can also assist in rebuilding Kerman’s Arg-e Bam (Bam Citadel which was largely destroyed by a killer quake in 2003).
Benger recalled his visit to the once largest adobe building in the world and said: “We visited the historical monument in Kerman Province on May 24 and we can help Iran in rebuilding this historical citadel which sustained heavy damage in the earthquake and we can revive it in a few years.”
