TEHRAN, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- A number of Iranian banks have declared their interest in opening branches in Belgium, Financial Tribune daily reported on Monday.
The announcement was made by Gholamhossein Shafei, the head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, during a meeting with a visiting Belgian delegation headed by President of the Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce, Rene Branders, in the capital Tehran.
Belgium's economic, financial and trading strength is significant among European Union member countries and ties with that country is of high importance for Iranian companies and traders, Shafei was quoted as saying.
"The most important requirements for both countries' businesses are banking and insurance ties that have registered slight improvements after Iran's nuclear deal in July 2015, and they are not enough," said Shafei.
"The desire for expanding economic relations is obvious in both sides. Therefore, we have made plans for the Belgian delegation during their four-day visit in the Iranian cities of Tehran and Isfahan, and we hope to achieve beneficial results through negotiations," he said.
In the meantime, the Belgian ambassador to Tehran, Francois Delhaye, said that there are plenty of opportunities to expand bilateral relations, as the economy of the two countries can be complementary.
"Because of the volatile atmosphere and U.S. actions (against Iran), banking and insurance ties have not improved at an acceptable pace, which is hoped to be resolved as soon as possible," Delhaye added.
The Belgian ambassador explained that in this situation of uncertainty, the visit of Belgian delegation has a special message and that Belgian companies are eager to extend their ties with Iran and the Belgian government has been also actively pursuing Iranian issues in EU. Enditem
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