Tehran and Lisbon discussed ways of boosting bilateral economic ties. In a meeting with Mohammad Khazaei, president of the Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran and a deputy economy minister, in Tehran on Sunday, Portuguese Deputy Foreign Minister Jorge Costa Oliveira proposed the establishment of direct flights between the two capitals to facilitate trade. “Portugal’s private sector is willing to invest in Iran,” Oliveira was quoted as saying by IRNA. Khazaei stressed the need for the two sides to expand customs cooperation, support joint investments and avoid double taxation. “We are ready for cooperation in the fields of banking, investment, trade and tourism among others,” he said.Oliveira also held a meeting with Mohsen Jalalpour, head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture. “Lisbon has sent an economic attaché to Tehran, which indicates the country’s seriousness in fortifying its commercial ties with Iran,” he said. Jalalpour noted that Portugal can gain access to the 400-million-strong regional market via Iran.
