The fist opportunity to establish stronger ties with Iran will be the upcoming visit to the country by Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek with a business delegation, the meeting at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) heard.

GZS director general Samo Hribar Milič noted that economic cooperation with Iran had decreased in the recent years due to the sanctions, but the good cooperation between the countries' chambers of commerce and companies had been maintained.

The will for economic cooperation with Iran existed for all this time, but the political relations did not back it, he said, expressing hope that things will change for the better following the July nuclear programme deal between Iran and world powers.

According to Hribar Milič, Slovenian companies are well aware of the potential of the 80-million nation, and there is will to strengthen the ties that in some cases date back to the times of former Yugoslavia.

Minister Počivalšek and the delegation representing 25 companies will pay a visit to Teheran in January, which will include official opening of representation offices of Slovenian companies Duol, Riko, Iskratel, Comita and Gorenje.

Ravanchi, who met with representatives of the economy and foreign ministries on Wednesday, said that the talks revolved around numerous opportunities for cooperation. Slovenia and Iran are determined to invest an additional effort to boost the relations that are currently not at a satisfactory level, according to him.

The Iranian deputy minister said that one of the main reasons for this were the economic sanctions, which Teheran expect would be abolished in January.

As European business delegations are already visiting Iran, he invited Slovenian companies to visit the country as soon as possible and make up for the missed opportunities in past years.

Ravanchi sees opportunities for new deals in energy, petrochemicals, pharmacy, steel industry, agriculture and automotive industry. Iran needs investments in these fields, and there will also be opportunities for Slovenian companies, he added.

These opportunities also call for the opening of production facilities, as Iran is located between the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent and is an excellent springboard for trade with these parts of the world.

Slovenia not having an embassy in Iran has been perceived as one of the biggest limiting factors for enhancing economic cooperation between Slovenia and Iran.

Robert Kokalj of the Foreign Ministry said that there was a chance that Slovenia re-opens its diplomatic representation in Teheran next year. This was welcomed by Iran, which has offered assistance in the process.