*Tehran – Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi saysIndians will invest two billion dollars in Iranian port and railwayprojects.*
Akhoundi, who is on a visit to New Delhi as a member of the delegationaccompanying President Hassan Rouhani, said the initial agreement for theinvestment has been reached.
He said many issues pertinent to ports and railway will be finalized in thevisit of the president to India and total amount of the joint investment inthe two areas will reach about two billion dollars.
Akhoundi added that cooperation with Indians is planned in four headingsand the initial agreement to that effect were reached in advance and willbe finalized during the visit.
The minister said one of the headings for cooperation with India calls forinvestment in Chabahar-Zahedan railway.
‘That’s a strategic and important railway; we followed cooperation withIndians to operate and complete it and early agreement has been reached forcooperation in the field at a credit of more than 800 million dollars andthe deal will be finalized in the visit and announced officially.’
He said one more important point in railway project with Indians is jointconstruction of locomotives . ‘Early agreement has been reached withIndians for joint construction cargo locomotives.’
Akhoundi said railway construction in Isfahan foundry with 300,000 ton/yearcapacity is among measures taken in railway field in partnership withIndians and the agreement will be finalized during the ongoing visit.