Senior Iranian and Omani officials on Sunday underlined the need for practical measures to facilitate trade and investment between the two countries, particularly in the energy and transit sectors.
Easing trade restrictions could encourage investors and entrepreneurs to participate in the implementation of joint projects, which would lead to closer business cooperation, President Hassan Rouhani said in a meeting with Oman's Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah in Tehran.
"There is great potential for investment in various fields in Iran, such as petrochemical, energy, steel, railroad and port development sectors, and Omani investors can take part in related projects," he said, adding that Tehran is determined to strengthen its ties with Muscat.
Efforts should also be made toward full implementation of previously signed agreements, especially in the areas of energy and transit.
Rouhani noted that further development of the southern ports of Chabahar and Jask as well as the completion of a railroad connecting Chabahar and Zahedan in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan would help boost trade between regional countries.
Heavy Responsibility
In addition, the president said Tehran and Muscat have a "heavy responsibility" to help promote peace and security in war-ravaged regional countries, including Yemen, which is facing a humanitarian catastrophe.
The Omani foreign minister also emphasized the need to relax trade barriers and offer incentives to attract investment for the execution of bilateral projects.
Utilizing the potential that exists in different areas, mainly energy, transit and port development, can help spur economic growth in both countries, he said.
Bin Alawi hailed Iran's role in advancing regional peace and security, adding, "The conflicts in Yemen have brought about nothing but misery and chaos to the region, and we have to make efforts so that the killing of people in the country would end immediately and humanitarian aid could reach them."
