VP Highlights Iran’s ‘Unique Position’ in Belt and Road Initiative
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian first vice president underlined the country’s “unique” position in China’s giant New Silk Road project, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum in Shanghai on Sunday, Mohammad Mokhber enumerated Iran’s capacities in the fields of economy, oil and gas resources, minerals and human development index.
“Iran’s position and infrastructure is unique in the Silk Road,” he said, referring to the giant project that involves a wave of Chinese funding for infrastructure projects around the world, in a bid to speed Chinese goods to markets further afield.
Mokhber also noted that Iran is geographically situated “at the connection center of the Middle East, Asia and Europe” with land and maritime borders with 15 countries and a population of over 600 million.
“It also has 2,700 kilometers of maritime borders, long beaches, Chabahar and Jask ocean ports, as well as a corridor route between the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Caspian Sea, and transit infrastructure along the Silk Road,” he added, Press TV reported.
“In terms of its geo-political situation, Iran connects East and Southeast Asia to Europe and vice versa as a historical and economic bridge.”
CIIE is a six-day multi-sector trade show for imported products from all over the world and is the largest event on China’s international trade calendar. The annual event was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2018 to promote the country’s free trade credentials and tackle criticism of its trade surplus with many partners.
