11.07.2016

The Republic of Bulgaria and the Islamic Republic of Iran will work towards deepening their economic relations and synchronising their actions against tax and customs fraud. Minister of Finance Vladislav Goranov and Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Tayyebnia agreed on the above during their meeting, held at the Sa'dabad Complex in Tehran.

Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Tayyebnia raised the issue of strengthening cooperation between Bulgaria and Iran in the field of finance and banking, with a focus on enhancing interbank contacts. In the words of Mr. Tayyebnia, it would facilitate the commercial relations between the two countries and would create a momentum for an overall development of their economic links. The Bulgarian Finance Minister Mr. Vladislav Goranov pointed out that the relations among the commercial banks were not subject to direct state intervention but the Government of Boyko Borisov was ready to cooperate, with all legal means, for the development of the contacts among the Bulgarian and the Iranian economic operators. „Bulgaria is interested in rapidly developing its commercial and financial relations with Iran because once the economic sanctions are lifted we will be provided with the opportunity to find new markets for Bulgarian businesses. At the same time, we can offer good conditions for Iranian investment on the territory of the European Union", Vladislav Goranov said. In his words, the two countries have already made a good start in reactivating their economic relations in the form of exchange of information and know-how.

Minister Goranov expressed his satisfaction with the good level of the Bulgarian - Iranian relations in the field of customs cooperation and combat against customs and tax crimes. The two Finance Ministers agreed on the positive effect that the conclusion of an intergovernmental agreement on mutual administrative assistance would have on the correct application of the customs legislation as well as on the prevention, investigation and combating of customs infringements. Mr. Goranov and Mr. Tayyebnia expressed confidence that it would happen in the coming months and would support the efforts of the two governments to improve budget revenue collection.

In conclusion Mr. Vladislav Goranov and Mr. Ali Tayyebnia discussed the possibility for exchange of expert delegations between the Finance Ministries of Bulgaria and Iran, which in the future would contribute to removing the difficulties in the economic relations between the two countries and share experience in regard to key government functions.