Tehran, May 24, IRNA - President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran welcomes investment by Chinese companies. “The Islamic Republic welcomes and supports any Chinese investment in Iran,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Shanghai, recently. According to SHANA, President Rouhani said, “the government has decided to develop the southern coasts of the Sea of Oman and Persian Gulf and establish a special economic zone in Jask [Port]. To that effect, this region is ready for foreign investment in port construction and energy-intensive industries.” The president added, we are also determined to develop railway network in Chabahar [Port in southeastern Iran]. This railway will connect [Iran] to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and finally China. A $400m market is on this route.”
Xi, for his part, said that international companies are willing to invest in Iran because of the Islamic Republic’s diplomatic overtures. “The connection of China to Chabahar Port will be of great help to the development of cooperation between the two countries,” he said. The Chinese president also stressed the need for scientific and petrochemical cooperation between Theran-Beijing, calling for activation of the Iran-China Business Council.