In the period September, 13-15, Ukrainian entrepreneurs visited the Islamic Republic of Iran on business mission. The delegation of more than 76 members (representatives of more than 57 Ukrainian enterprises) was the largest in the history of Ukrainian-Iranian relations. The purpose of the visit was to hold talks in the Chamber of Commerce of Iran and participate in bilateral meetings of businessmen in the framework of the Ukrainian-Iranian Economic Forum in Tehran on September, 14-15.

Business delegation from Kherson and Donetsk regions, led by the presidents of regional Chambers Ms. Victoria Ostroumova (Kherson CCI) and Ms. Elvira Sevostyanenko (Donetsk CCI) arrived to Iran two days before that made it possible to visit a few Iranian industrial centers:

• Zanjan - on September, 11;
• Isfahan - on September, 12;

• Tabriz - on September, 13;
• Karaj, a suburb of Tehran - on September, 15.

There were presentations of trade and economic, investment, tourism potential of Kherson region, B2B-meetings with representatives of Iranian business circles at the regional Chambers of these cities. Representatives of Kherson enterprise "Amalteya" led by its director Sergei Rybachok held talks with potential partners on the issues of polypropylene and polypropylene bags supplying, and were invited to visit some Iranian industrial companies. Kherson delegation had the opportunity to meet with the governor of Zanjan province, who testified the interest of Iranian side to the establishment of cooperation with Ukrainian companies.

On September, 14-15, in Tehran, the delegation participated in the plenary session of the Iranian-Ukrainian Economic Forum, individual negotiations with potential partners, visiting of Iranian companies, business meetings in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Iran, the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, the Ministry of Transportation and Housing, Ministry of Agriculture.

Iran's economy is the largest among the countries of Western Asia, the Middle East and OPEC. Traditional industries are oil and gas, metal working, food, textile; oil, coal, gas, various ores and other minerals are being actively mined. Much attention is paid to the development of high-tech industries, namely precision engineering, automotive industry, rocket and space industry, nanotechnologies, medicine and information technologies.

Iranian producers are ready to develop actively international trade relations. Iranian side showed a high level of interest to the Ukrainian production, and estimated positively future development of bilateral business contacts with Ukraine. Iran is mostly interested in Ukrainian mechanical and agricultural production, mining equipment, grain, corn, and feed. Possibility of cultivate agricultural land renting is also attractive. Iranians offer to export high-quality nuts and dried fruits, are ready to cooperate in many industrial sectors and to participate in investment projects in Ukraine.

Members of the Ukrainian delegation note that doing business with Iran looks promising, but at the same time has a number of specific features. Participation in specialized exhibitions and forums, B2B talks and visiting of Iranian companies could be helpful for those who wish to establish business relations with this Eastern country. Cooperation Agreement signed by the president of Kherson CCI and the leaders of Zanjan, Isfahan and Karaj Chambers will facilitate the organization of such events and the entrance of Ukrainian business to Iranian market. It should be noted that this trip to Iran was the third for the Kherson CCI this year.

The result of the visit for Kherson delegation became the definition of vectors for trade, economic and cultural cooperation between the provinces of Kherson region and the Islamic Republic of Iran, establishing a common understanding between enterprises and first steps towards implementation of joint initiatives.

According to the results of the Forum in Tehran, five main directions of trade and economic Iranian-Ukrainian relations have been identified. They are agriculture, engineering (including aircraft industry), traditional and alternative energy, transportation and mining. Further development of bilateral investment cooperation in agriculture will be one of the main topics for discussion during the Ukrainian-Iranian Joint Commission on trade and economic cooperation, scheduled for the autumn of this year.