Iran says can create car production JV with Russia

MOSCOW, Jan 17 (PRIME) -- Iran does not rule out creation of a joint venture with Russia to make cars, but Russian drivers should welcome Iranian cars first, Omid Ghalibaf, spokesman for the Iranian Industry, Mining, and Trade Ministry, told PRIME on Tuesday.

“The possibility of joint production and opening of a plant in Iran or in Russia depends on how successfully we can export our cars to Russia and enter its market and on how the Iranian models will be welcomed in Russia. Taking that into account, we will be able to consider investment in joint production and development of our car market in Russia,” he said.

Iran signed a U.S. $300 million memorandum with Russia to exports its cars in late November, but it is yet to deliver any cars to Russia.

Iran plans to deliver the cars either fully or partially assembled so that Russian companies assemble them, but Tehran has to receive the licenses and certificates from the Russian authorities first, Ghalibaf said.

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