TEHRAN – Iran and Poland signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to boost their bilateral ties in different fields of economy.

Polish Economy Minister Janusz Piechocinski signed the MOU with Iranian Finance and Economic affair Minister Ali Tayyebnia in Tehran on Saturday.Meanwhile, Piechocinski held a meeting with Iranian Industry, Mining, and Trade Minister Mohammad-Reza Ne’matzadeh, putting special emphasis on industry and mining as the two countries seek to give a boost to their bilateral trade.During the meeting, the Iranian minister said the ground is prepared for expanding cooperation in rail transport, renewable energy, food and agriculture, machinery, and shipbuilding industries, the IRIB reported.He added that private sectors of Iran and Poland should establish links in order to help the two governments materialize the goal.He welcomed the idea of forming a joint chamber of commerce as a means to upgrade relations.The Polish official, for his part, emphasized that his country does not see Iran just as an export market, but it plans to buy Iranian goods and invest in Iranian projects, as well.He added that as a member of the European Union, Poland will back trade with Iran. He went on to say that an exhibition will be held this autumn in Poland with the participation of Iranian companies. Meanwhile, Polish companies will participate in an agriculture expo in Iran next year.Piechocinski also met with Iranian Roads and Urban Development Minister Abbas Akhoundi, discussing ways to expand bilateral ties, especially making investment in rail, road, and air transport projectsThe Polish minister is accompanied by a host of business delegates representing the automotive industry, energy industry, construction and mining. The 60-strong group is scheduled to attend trade panels on bilateral collaboration.Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Katarzyna Kacperczyk said in May that there are different organizations in Poland which are willing to expand cooperation with Iranian counterparts in different fields of economy, such as transport, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.Poland can be reliable trade partner for Iran, as the country is the largest economy in Eastern Europe and the sixth largest in the European Union, she said.Iranian Ambassador to Poland Ramin Mehmanparast has said that the volume of trade between Iran and Poland is currently around €100 million annually, but the two countries plan to boost the figure to €1 billion in the short term.Poland was the 50th biggest importer of Iranian non-oil goods in the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-August 22), according to the Iran Customs Administration.Iran exported $7.67 million of non-oil goods to Poland and imported $11.558 million of non-oil goods from the country.The volume of trade between Iran and Poland totaled $41 million in the past Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20.Iran exported $20 million of non-oil goods to Poland and imported $21 million of non-oil goods from the country in the previous year.Raisin, pistachio, date, black tea, dried fruits, sweet, saffron, vegetables, cheese and bakery machinery were the major products Iran exported to Poland.Dietary supplements, injector pump, tractor, sugar-free chewing gum, Cotton-spinning machinery, combine harvester, Mechanotherapy equipment, brake pad, glass containers, mineral fertilizers, paper and trout were the main items Iran imported from the European country in the past calendar year.