Iran to Buy Drilling Equipment in Urals

The totals of cooperation between the Sverdlovsk Region and the Islamic Republic of Iran were summed up during a meeting at the regional Ministry of Foreign Economic Connections, a delegation from Iran attending. According to the PR Department of the regional administration, the delegation headed by Alizer Takhmasebi from Iran's Oil Ministry also included Mortez Emadzade, a Deputy Defence Minister of Iran responsible for defence industries, and representatives from the Southern Oil and National Drilling Companies of Iran. An agreement was reached concerning the supplies by the Uralmash machine-building plant of equipment used in the extraction of oil and figures as to the supplies of drilling equipment discussed. Also discussed was the possibility certain drilling tower elements could be produced in Iran.

Mr. Takhmasebi said the government of Iran was considering granting Russia the status of the most preferred trade partner. For the past several years, Iran held the 15th place on the list of the Sverdlovsk Region's trade partners. After the visit to Iran, in 1998, of a delegation from the region, there have been no significant trade contacts.