TEHRAN – The Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) held a meeting with a Kenyan trade delegation on Thursday to explore ways to expand economic cooperation between the two countries, in particular in the agricultural sector.

The meeting was attended by ICCIMA Deputy Head for International Affairs Mohammadreza Karbasi and Bomet State Governor in Kenya Hillary Barchok, as well as heads of specialist committees, export unions, businessmen and business representatives from both sides.

Speaking at the meeting, Karbasi highlighted Kenya’s important position in East Africa and said: “This country is one of the major industrialized countries in East Africa and one of the influential members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

“Given its crucial and strategic port of Mombasa and its port infrastructure, Kenya can facilitate maritime transport for economic operators in the East African region,” added Karbasi.

Considering the current conditions and capacities of Kenya in various sectors such as overseas agriculture, food processing, as well as animal husbandry and meat production, there is a very good opportunity for economic cooperation between the ‘Iran and Kenya, the official said.

Karbasi valued the two countries’ trade in 2020 at around $ 60 million, noting that given the large capacities of both sides, it is possible to increase the level of trade up to $ 500 million next year.

According to the official, Iran can meet Kenya’s needs in the areas of petroleum and bitumen derivatives, petrochemicals, health tourism, medicine and food; Kenya, on the other hand, can meet the needs of the Iranian market for cocoa, coffee, tea, grains, as well as food and livestock products.

“Considering the good cooperation capacity between Iran and Kenya, a ceiling of 6 billion dollars is foreseen for the economic exchanges between the two countries, but its realization requires a long-term vision of the leaders of the two countries and the necessary base for the activities. traders in Iran and Kenya, ”he added.

Later in the meeting, Baruchok, who headed the trade delegation, highlighted the good progress in economic relations between the two countries since the last meeting of the Iranian and Kenyan delegations last November, saying: “Fortunately, Iran has imported large quantities of tea from Kenya and we are also planning to launch a tea joint venture in Lahijan during this visit.

EF / MA

Photo: Mohammadreza Karbasi (right), ICCIMA Deputy Head of International Affairs and Hillary Barchok, Governor of Bomet State in Kenya