UPDATE2: Min: Russian cos ready to create car, aviation, energy JVs in Iran

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ISFAHAN, Iran, Jun 18 (PRIME) -- Russian companies are ready to create joint ventures in car production, aviation, energy, and machine building in Iran, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday at a meeting of the Russian–Iranian commission on trade and economic cooperation.

“Russian companies are ready to set up joint ventures in Iran in the spheres of automobile, aviation, energy, and engineering production,” Novak said.

Russia and Iran are discussing new projects in the oil and gas sector and in the power industry, Novak told Rossiya 24 television channel.

“We see that despite those sanctions that were introduced against Iran and companies’ participation in implementation of projects, our Russian companies continue to work. We see big interest in Iranian projects. (Documents) on development of five deposits totaling U.S. $4 billion have been signed recently,” he said.

“Several more projects are being discussed: this is both the oil and gas sector and joint projects in the power industry. Iran is interested in modernization of thermal power plants, in completing construction of hydropower plants. There are many projects in this sphere, and Russian companies are ready to participate,” he said.

Novak also said there are proposals on joint development of deposits on the Caspian Sea shelf by Russian and Iranian companies.

“There are a number of proposals for the development of fields together with Iranian companies. But this is still at the discussion stage, so we can talk in more detail later when there are proposals for interaction between the companies,” he said.

Iran is also interested in operations of Russian gas giant Gazprom in the country, he said.

“The Iranian side touched upon this issue, it is interested in Gazprom taking part in implementation of projects: deposits and LNG (liquefied natural gas) projects and swap supplies,” he said.

The two countries are also considering a project on Russian meat supplies to Iran, Novak added.

The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight also said that Russia is ready to expand the number of beef, lamb meat, and poultry exporters to Iran.

Novak also said he hoped that Russian wheat supplies to Iran will resume in the near future.

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