"Removing some obstacles and defining the real potential of the two countries' private sector are a pledge of expanding bilateral cooperation, while the operation under the Iranian government of a special headquarters on Russian-Iranian trade and economic relations testifies to Tehran's efforts to continue and develop the two countries' ties," said Mr. Aref who heads the HQ.
The Iranian vice president expressed the hope that "with the use of available capabilities and exchange of experience, Russia-Iran trade turnover will exceed $5 billion in the future."
"One shouldn't underestimate the profitability of Russian-Iranian cooperation. Having arrived in the Islamic republic by a rather representative delegation, which comprises big business representatives from St. Petersburg and cultural figures, we see Iran is interested in expanding interaction with Russia," Ms. Matviyenko told RIA Novosti immediately after talks with Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.
In Ms. Matviyenko's opinion, the existing capabilities and potential of promoting Russian goods on Iran's market are vast.
"We produce competitive products, but it is clear that not all markets are eager to get Russian goods; here, in Iran, there is a market we could use in our bilateral relations," said the governor. She believes that this would be profitable for St. Petersburg too. "As governor, I am very much interested in it," Ms. Matviyenko added.
