TEHRAN (ECOIDEAL)- A number of businessmen and experts from Iran and China attended a joint trade conference in Shanghai on Wednesday.
Head of Iran-China Chamber of Commerce Asadollah Asgaroladi and Iran's Consul General in Shanghai Alireza Irvash attended the two-day conference.
The Iranian and Chinese businessmen exchanged views on economic and trade cooperation.
China was the biggest trade partner of Iran before signing the historic nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and it has retained the position after the deal.
The value of Iran-China trade hit $33.66 billion in 2017 that showed over 20 percent rise compared to the figure in 2016.
The cooperation between the two countries under the initiative 'One Belt, One Road' is being strengthened in transportation, oil, gas, petrochemicals, metallurgy, construction and infrastructure.
On the sidelines of the conference, Iran's pavilion under the title of permanent exhibition of Iran's exports and new technologies was opened in Shanghai's free zone.
In relevant remarks earlier on Friday, Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri called on the country's ministries of foreign affairs and economy to take practical and long-term measures to broaden trade relations with China.
"Promotion of commercial and economic cooperation with China is among main pivots of Iran's policy; so efforts need to be made for lifting impediments hindering expansion of economic and trade relations between Tehran and Beijing," Jahangiri said in a meeting with officials from ministries of foreign affairs and economy.
He underlined that China is Iran's major trade partner, and said, "Clear direction and definite framework need to be drawn for the expansion of commercial and economic ties with China."
In relevant remarks last February, Chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi underlined that China has voiced willingness to invest in the lucrative projects of Iran's infrastructural sector.
"The Chinese have repeatedly stressed their support for the (2015) nuclear deal (between Tehran and the world powers) and opposition to the US approach towards it," Boroujerdi said after heading a three-day visit by an Iranian parliamentary delegation to China.
"During meetings with the Chinese officials, we talked about the infrastructural railway projects which are a priority in transportation between cities and the Chinese declared their willingness for investment," he added.
Boroujerdi said that Beijing is ready to implement important projects in Iran, including Tehran-Mashhad and Tehran-Tabriz railway for high-speed trains.
His remarks came as reports said in January that the trade exchanges between Iran and China increased 20.5% in the first 11 months of 2017, showing a positive trend for both countries.
Source: Farsnews