Tehran, Jan 8, IRNA - Head of Irans Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Gholam Hossein Shafei said on Wednesday that to prepare grounds for resumption of relations between Iran and Britain the existing economic sanctions should be lifted.It is incumbent upon the western side to lift banking and shipping sanctions and facilitate issuance of visa to Iranian traders, he said.
Other issues such as resolving the problems in transportation insurance should be taken into account for resumption of ties between the two countries, he said.
He made the remarks in a meeting with Head of Britain-Iran Chamber of Commerce Jack Straw who is now leading a delegation to Tehran.
The visit of the British economic delegation provides a good opportunity to mend fences between the two countries, he said.
Referring to the new political atmosphere created after taking office of the eleventh government, he said it seems that under current circumstances the two sides can improve relations.
?We are now witnessing increasing number of applications from western countries for reestablishment of economic relations with Iran?, he said.
?We believe the sanctions have inflicted huge losses on both Iran and its economic partners,? he said.
Under the current circumstances, the chamber believes that economic diplomacy should help political diplomacy, Shafei said.
The unjust and inhuman economic sanctions imposed by West put heavy pressure on the Iranian people, he said.
However, he said, under such sanctions, the Islamic Republic of Iran has managed to expand its industrial activities and replace European countries with other commercial partners, he said.
Iran?s market is not limited within its borders, he said adding that the scope of Iran?s economy has spread to the entire region.
Transparency and good-will would help remove misunderstandings, he said.
The former British foreign secretary, for his part, said London wants economic sanctions against Iran lifted but the issue requires mutual talks and signing of some MoUs.
This delegation would try to resolve visa issuance and reopen British embassy in Iran, he said.
By IRNA
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