Dr Ali Magashi, the Nigerian Charge de Affairs in the Islamic Republic of Iran, has said that efforts are being made to improve trade relations between Nigeria and that country.
Magashi made this known to newsmen on the sideline of the just concluded 3rd Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Tehran, Iran.
“Countries normally have relations for much more than economic reason. We have relations for political reasons, for other reasons.
“But, economically, Nigeria and Iran I can say that our relations are very good, we have interaction economically.
They sell products to us and we also sell some things to them. But we learnt a lot from them. In terms of balance of trade, the balance of trade is against Nigeria.
“They sell more to us than we sell to them and that is what the mission is trying to adjust, that is what Nigeria is now trying to address so that Iranians can buy more from Nigeria so that the difference in the balance of trade will not be so much.’’
Magashi, however, said that relationships between countries should not be evaluated solely on the basis of the balance of trade.
He stressed the need for the retention of the Nigerian mission in Iran so that some other benefits can accrue to Nigeria.
The Charge de Affairs explained that Nigeria stands to gain from the technical and technological advancement of Iran, in view of the latter’s status in global politics.
According to him, the cooperation between Nigeria and Iran, especially in the area of technology transfer, remains laudable.
“It is desirable for Nigeria to maintain its Embassy in Iran because Nigeria and Iran have a very good relation.
“And if you look at the position of Nigeria vis-a-vis West Africa or Africa, Nigeria is a leader in the region.
“Iran is also a leader in the Middle East region or the Gulf region.
“So, it is good to keep relations with Iran, especially, now that we have a large population of Nigerians, those who are studying and those who are here privately.
“And also because this mission is in charge of other countries; we have concurrent accreditation with three other countries.
“So, if you close this mission, you are closing all Nigerians that need assistance from these three countries, namely; Kazakhstan, Armenia and Azerbaijan.’’
On President Buhari’s visit to Tehran, Magashi said that all the Nigerian leader’s scheduled programmes and appointments were carried out diligently.
“I can say that the visit was very successful.
“The President came, all his programme were on time; all what he needed to do he has done them and I can tell you that he had been here before and he has compared his recent visit with the time when he came before the revolution.
“He has seen great developmental efforts that had been made by his host country.
“They have really developed both in terms of technology and otherwise.’’
(NAN)
