The vice president and secretary of state for Women's Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, last Saturday evening, received at State House the Iranian Foreign Affairs minister, Manouchehr Mottaki.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mottaki was in Banjul with a delegation that comprised experts in wide ranging fields of investment. Their visit is said to be aimed at discussing issues surrounding the review of the bilateral relationship between The Gambia and Iran, and to study new ways and proposals for the expansion of this relationship.

The Foreign Affairs minister and delegation were led to state House by Manouchehr Mottaki's Gambian counterpart, Dr Omar Touray, secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and Lamin Kabba Bajo, The Gambia's ambassador to Iran.

Speaking to journalists shortly after his audience with the vice president, the Iranian Foreign Affairs minister said that the visit was based on the very cordial relationship that exists between the two countries, which he said indeed started some three years back when his president participated in the AU Summit held in Banjul.

According to him, a warm and strong personal and official relation between the two presidents was established, aimed at finding ways and possibilities for expansion of relations and cooperation.

"Our priority here in the economic area is agriculture, and that is why we have agreed to open an office here with a representative from our Agriculture ministry and to work on projects which can help in the development of this framework to our Gambian friends. At the same time, we have studied some projects which will help in The Gambia's development and also to see the possibilities of exportation from The Gambia to Iran. Iran can take it as priority in our strive to strengthen the commercial relationships," he said.

The Iranian diplomat expressed hope that in the very near future they will be in a position to take some new steps and new initiatives in strengthening this existing relation.

"In the area of trade," he said, "if there are possibilities, we will produce different commodities in Iran and through trade fares we can introduce such commodities for importation."

With regards to the energy sector, the Iranian Foreign Affairs minister revealed the Iranian deputy minister for Energy was part of his delegation and was set to hold discussions with The Gambia's Energy and Petroleum SoS.

Also on the plans of the Iranian delegation was a consideration of banking cooperation as The Gambia's Central Bank Governor was set to receive some officials from the delegation as well as responsible authorities from foreign investment companies.

According to Manouchehr Mottaki, during the course of their visit, they will prepare some comprehensive documents of cooperation between Iran and The Gambia, which will look into how they can assist development plans under the leadership of His Excellency, President Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh.

"We are considering where we can take some steps as of now, as we are optimistic for the future of our relations, and we do hope that in a very near future, we give more information with regards to our two countries," he stated.