Buhari Regime Begs Iran For Better Trade Relations

The Muhammadu Buhari administration has called to the Islamic Republic of Iran to strengthen bilateral trade ties.

This is in light of Iran’s plans to export and fly directly to Nigeria.

Geoffrey Onyeama, the Foreign Affairs Minister, made the appeal during a bilateral meeting with Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian Foreign Minister, on Thursday.

Messrs. Onyeama and Amir-Abdollahan met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) 76th Session, which is now taking place in New York, United States.

The Nigerian minister remarked to the Iranian foreign minister that Nigeria and Iran have outstanding relations and that Nigeria would be delighted to see them improve even further.

“We are two big countries in our respective sub-regions, but unfortunately, the level of trade is not what it should be. And we should do a lot more.

“And we were trying to also discuss on how this should not interrupt our trade and how we can also work together to improve that aspect of our trade,” Mr Onyeama said.

Mr Amir-Abdollahian said that envoys from both countries were pursuing the continued development of the relationship between Nigeria and Iran with a great lot of hard work, attention, and commitment.

He went on to say that the contacts between the two countries demonstrated that both countries were serious, focused, and driven to strengthen relations.

“Mr Minister, as you do know, both countries have very high capacities for mutual cooperation.

“But as you said, the level of trade, collaboration and cooperation between our two countries is not at the satisfactory level, particularly when we look at the level of political cooperation that exists between the two nations.

“And of course, as you do know, Your Excellency, the private sector from both of our respective countries, are very keen on developing and progressing their ties with one another,” he said.

Mr. Amir-Abdollahian went on to say that in order to achieve the desired larger volume and commercial commerce between the two nations, Iran is looking into and investigating the best way to develop a direct shipping route from Iran to Nigeria.

He stated that Iran had no difficulties or hurdles in entirely eradicating any form of impediment to trade between the two countries.

Iran’s foreign minister also stated at the outset that the country will do everything possible to remove or reduce any restrictions that may exist.

Mr. Amir-Abdollahian continued, “As a result, Iran is ready and eager to best analyze how to go about removing such duties that exist between the two nations as quickly as possible.”

Mr Amir-Abdollahan told that Mahan Airlines, located in Iran, is completely willing, ready, and capable of establishing direct flights from Tehran to Lagos.

He went on to say that Iran was ready and eager to analyze in depth prior agreements between the two nations, activate them where possible, and establish a joint economic commission in Tehran as soon as possible.

The Buhari dictatorship has been taking use of the ongoing UNGA to drum up support for Nigeria’s shaky economy, which is under its control. Mr Buhari reportedly urged the Queen of the Netherlands for investment in Nigeria, according to the People Gazette on Thursday.