[NYTr] Iran Grants Cuba 20 Million-Euro in Credits

[nytr at olm.blythe-systems.com]

Granma International - Jan 17, 2005
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2005/enero/lun17/04iran.html

Iran Grants Cuba 20-million Euro Credit

• Plant in Iran to manufacture vaccines with Cuban technology

• Cooperation with Cuba to be diversified and extended

by Raisa Pages
Granma International staff writer

WHILE a plant is under construction in Iran to produce vaccines and 
medicines with Cuban technology, the island is very interested in that 
Asian country’s experiences in the rational use of water, among other 
contributions via the established cooperation between the two nations.

"There is no doubt that Iran is determined to strengthen its economic 
relations with Cuba and there are many interesting areas in which to 
cooperate," affirmed Mr. Ahmad Edrisan, ambassador of the Islamic 
Republic of Iran .

He confirmed that economic cooperation between the two nations is to be 
diversified and extended to a notable degree starting this year. The 
Iranian ambassador conceded an interview to Granma International on the 
10th Cuba-Iran Joint Commission.

"In discussions between the delegations we have made concrete the most 
propitious areas for economic cooperation and strengthened banking 
relations," he noted.

"The Central Bank of Cuba already has agreements with the Iran 
Development Bank, which will facilitate trade between the two countries.

Iran is to give Cuba a credit of 20 million euros, which could be 
increased with projects and cooperation.

The ambassador stated that his country has announced its disposition to 
help Cuba in oil pumping developments now that new reserves of this 
resource have been found.

Although economic cooperation currently covers agriculture, water usage, 
medicines, biotechnology and sports, this exchange is to be much expanded..

Mr. Ahmad Edrisan reviewed bilateral relations, which he qualified as 
excellent, and recalled President Fidel Castro’s visit to Iran in 2001.

There were many delegation exchanges between the two nations in 2004, 
which provided a better knowledge of realities on both sides.

"We consider that the 10th Cuba-Iran Joint Commission is complementary 
to that process of exchanging delegations to date and now we would like 
those areas of cooperation to be made concrete," he added.

The Iranian agricultural minister is heading the 25-person delegation 
from different agencies and ministries in that country currently in Cuba 
for the joint commission.

The volume of trade between Cuba and Iran in recent years has oscillated 
between $20 and $30 million but there is much capacity between the two 
nations to raise that," he observed.

Given its scientific developments in biotechnology, Cuba is supplying 
Iran with vaccines against Hepatitis B and other successful medicines 
like Interferon and Erythropoyetine, at a cost of $15 million per year.

A plant is currently under construction in that country for the 
manufacture there with Cuban technology of the Hepatitis B vaccine, 
Interferon, Streptokinase (utilized in the treatment of heart attacks) 
and human recombinant Erithropoyetine, used for the treatment of kidney 
failure, among other pathologies.

Exchanges of professors and students of medicine are part of an existing 
cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Higher Education, which also 
includes grants for students on both sides.

Last year a new agreement was signed in the field of sports to give 
continuity to cooperation in this activity, the ambassador commented. 
Trainers and athletes in volleyball, basketball and boxing from both 
nations are assimilating their experiences.

The recent visit by José Ramón Fernández to Iran will help to implement 
this sports agreement, the ambassador affirmed. The Asian nation is also 
to produce sports equipment that the island can acquire.

Both countries are exchanging information in the area of agriculture. 
Iran has benefited from Cuban experiences in sugarcane cultivation and 
in its turn is facilitating information on the production of rice and 
other foodstuffs.

Geographically located in a very dry area, Iran has an annual rainfall 
of only 250 millimeters. However, it is a large agricultural producer 
and food exporter. Iran is interested in the island’s experience of 
tropical fruits.

USE OF WATER

"Iran can help Cuba in the more efficient use of water, above all in 
agriculture," the ambassador stated.

He also noted that they could cooperate in transportation systems and 
the long-distance diverting of hydraulic resources. The Asian country 
could supply technology for the construction of aqueducts in the eastern 
region of Cuba.

Another area of cooperation with the island is in the construction of 
thermoelectric plants. Ambassador Edrisian explained that Iran 
manufactures large turbines down to systems for transforming energy into 
electricity.

Iranian entrepreneurs are interested in developing the textile, footwear 
and plastics industries and spare parts for sugar mills, he stressed. 
"In transportation, we could contribute engines, wagons and rail tracks, 
as well as other personal and collective vehicles, he confirmed.

The potential for the investment of Iranian capital in Cuba or the 
establishing of joint enterprises is one of the subjects for discussion 
in the commission. The delegation that traveled to Cuba for this joint 
session includes private-sector representatives from the footwear and 
plastics industries.

"Iran is capable of contributing everything that Cuba needs in terms of 
industrial development," he affirmed. "We are two revolutionary 
countries and establish our relations within the principles of 
South-South cooperation."

THE UNITED STATES SHOULD REVIEW ITS POLICY

With the US invasion and occupation of Iraq world security has been 
reduced and terrorism has developed even further, the ambassador observed.

"If the United States does not review its Middle East policy we are not 
going to see any improvement in the situation in that region," he stated.

"By invading Iraq the United States has strained international relations 
and endangered world security.

"The US government must end the invasion of Iraq as soon as possible. 
This country, under international supervision, has to attain its 
autonomy, its government, and for that reason we are in agreement with 
the elections, because that would be the first step toward the 
sovereignty of that people.

"The unilateral nature of US policy in international relations should be 
ended. That country should stop violating international law and should 
respect the national sovereignty of the peoples," ambassador Edrisian 
concluded.