http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-22/0712071305190311.htm
*Volume of Iran-Italy trade passes 4bn euro level in 6 months* Head of Iran-Italy Joint Chamber of Commerce said here Friday the level of Tehran-Rome business transactions exceeded four billion euros in past six months. Jamshid Haqgu added in an interview with IRNA, "From January to August 2007 (six months) the business relations of the two countries showed an appropriate growth compared to similar period in 2006, when it stood at 3.8billion euros. Referring to the latest statistics presented by the Italian Statistical Information Center, he said, "2.7 billion euros of Iran's exports to Italy during the past six months was allocated to our country's oil exports to that European country." He added, "That is while during the comparable period in the year 2006 Iran exported oil worth 2,5 billion euros to Italy." Haqgu said that Iran's imports from Italy in last six months of 2006 was 1.3billion euros, while it was decreased to 1.1 billion in last six months of this year. INCREASED NON-OIL EXPORTS Head of the two countries' Joint Chamber of Commerce said that Iran's non-oil exports to Italy, too, increased during the past six months, adding, "The increased exports in this field amount to 380 million euros compared to the last six months of 2006. He said that the main part of the two countries' non-oil exports are the same, adding, "They include non-iron metals, agricultural crops, meat and meat products, textiles and synthetic raw materials, chemical substances, garments, and adornments." Haqgu said that fisheries, decorative stones, canned vegetables, textiles and leather include the major part of Iran's non-oil exports to Italy. EUROPE'S INAPPROPRIATE APPROACH CONTRASTED TO ITALY'S Head of the Joint Iran-Italy Chamber of Commerce pointing out that political issues have so far not affected the policy making of Italian officials regarding Iran, he said, "All the same, the psychological effect of political developments over economic ties cannot be ignored." According to Haqgu, the inappropriate approach of some European countries in dealing with Iran has not only not affected Italy's enthusiasm for expansion of economic ties with Iran, but has also led to the Italians' increased interest in doing trade with Iran. ITALY, THRESHOLD OF IRAN'S TIES WITH EU This private sector official referred to Italy as a threshold for Iran's economic ties with Europe, arguing, "That country is currently Iran's first economic partner in Europe." Haqgu added, "Till a few years ago Germany was Iran's top European economic partner, but currently it has given its place to Italy." According to him, Tehran-Rome good trade ties are despite the efforts made by the United States and some European countries for disturbing them, thanks to Italy's strong resistance to maintain and improve such ties. He meanwhile referred to Iran as the threshold for Italy's entrance into the lucrative Central Asian markets, arguing, "The high importance both countries' attach to economic ties with one another leads to their constantly expanding economic ties." 2329**1420 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
