UAE, Iran urged to surmount political woes, focus on trade

The UAE and Iran should push for peaceful ties and solve their present political differences so that they can get on with enhancing economic relations, according to Khalifa Shaheen Al Marri, UAE ambassador to Iran.

He said the first UAE Trade Exhibition in Iran, which opens today, is a good indication from both parties to find positive solutions. "We hope the differences would be solved and that the ties between the two countries would prosper," the ambassador said.

The UAE has selected the right time to focus on Iran, Al Marri said. Following the re-election of President Mohammed Khatami, there is a mood of expectancy for more economic reforms.

The volume of trade between the two countries has grown rapidly in the past decade to $1.5 billion. Trade between Iran and the UAE cannot be compared at the same level as that with other countries because of the old ties and the proximity, the ambassador said.

The Emirates Exhibition in Iran has attracted almost 50 UAE companies eager to do business. There is equal focus from both trading and manufacturing firms in the show, said Fahad Al Gergawi, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry's head of exhibitions and conference section.

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is back again, participating in the International Tourism Exhibition being held from June 12-17 here to promote Dubai, said Abdul Rahim Mohammed Abdullah, DTCM senior manager for projects.