OREANDA-NEWS. August 03, 2010. Ukrainian-Iranian economic relations are very important for both countries. In particular, interested in developing cooperation are domestic oil and gas industries, as well as aircraft construction. Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Tigipko said this at a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Ukraine H.E. Mr. Akbar Ghasemi Ali Abadi.

The sides discussed bilateral trade and scientific-technical cooperation. Serhiy Tigipko said that after last year's decline the bilateral trade began to recover rapidly. Yes, Ukrainian exports to Iran since the beginning of the year increased by more than 40pc, and imports - more than 60pc.

"In the Middle East, Iran is one of key trading partners of Ukraine. It is important that a large share of Ukrainian exports to Iran is high-tech engineering products", said the official.

Serhiy Tigipko emphasized the great potential of cooperation in the aircraft construction. As you know, Iran has already produced and operated ANTONOV-140 aircrafts, the Iranian side is interested in purchase and license assembly of ANTONOV-148 aircrafts.

"There is a mutual interest in cooperation in oil and gas industries. Iran has huge deposits of these minerals, and Ukraine has many years’ of experience and technologies. Both sides expect mutually beneficial cooperation", said Serhiy Tigipko.