Iran-Kazakhstan trade experiences four times increase

TEHRAN. February 9. KAZINFORM Trade turnover between Iran and Kazakhstan increased four times during the last year, Iranian Ambassador to Astana Ramin Mehmanparast said Saturday.

Speaking in Almaty on the occasion of the 30 anniversary of Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Diplomat said at the end of 2008 the turnover amounted to USD3 bln, and now there is a task to increase it by USD10 bln. He noted Kazakhstan as a big and strategic partner for Iran, and said economic cooperation between the two countries is conducted in different spheres, including oil and gas industry and transportation. Representative of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry in Almaty Eldar Kunayev also said that close cooperation between Tehran and Astana is developing within the framework of different international and regional organizations. Kazakhstan praised Iran's support for the World and Traditional Religions meeting in Kazakhstan, saying that the gathering will provide an opportunity for the establishment of a regional forum for dialogue and a foundation for cultural preservation, Kazinform cites Fars News Agency.