Iran FM seeks to expand trade with Nicaragua

By Senabri Silvestre

SANTO DOMINGO, Dom. Rep. (AA) – Iran’s foreign minister continued his Latin America tour in Nicaragua, where on Tuesday he expressed interest in expanding trade between both nations, local media said.

Mohammad Javad Zarif also stated the eagerness of Iranian businesses to participate in the construction of Nicaragua’s 278-kilometer (173-mile) inter-oceanic canal that will be built by a Chinese company at a total cost of $50 billion, HispanTV newspaper reported.

“We have been accompanied by a large delegation to exchange views and expand bilateral relations in many fields”, Zarif said in a meeting with his Nicaraguan counterpart Samuel Santos.

The top Iranian diplomat was accompanied by a delegation of about 60 officials and businessmen from different sectors during a meeting held at the House of Government of Nicaragua.

He also met with other local officials and has planned to meet President Daniel Ortega and central bank officials.

Prior to Nicaragua, Zarif was in Cuba where he met various government officials and entrepreneurs and signaled joint interest in promoting energy and industrial cooperation between the two nations.

After Nicaragua, Zarif plans to visit Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia and Venezuela in an attempt to strengthen cooperation and trade in the region.