MALAYSIA STRENGTHENS TIES WITH IRAN, EYES GILAN PROVINCE AS KEY COLLABORATION HUB

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) – Malaysia is intensifying efforts to deepen economic and cultural ties with Iran, identifying Gilan Province as another key hub for collaboration.

During his visit to Gilan, Malaysian Ambassador to Iran, Khairi Omar, held productive talks with Gilan Governor Hadi Haqshenas, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas such as tourism, trade, and academic exchange.

On tourism and economic exchange, Khairi highlighted the environmental and climatic similarities between Gilan and Malaysia, expressing confidence that these shared features would enhance Malaysian tourist arrivals in Iran.

“The natural beauty of Gilan mirrors that of Malaysia. This similarity makes it a preferred destination for Malaysian tourists, and we believe this can be a key factor in boosting bilateral tourism," said the ambassador.

To further strengthen tourism and trade connectivity, Khairi proposed establishing a direct flight route between Malaysia and Iran.

Welcoming Khairi’s remarks, Haqshenas proposed offering provincial incentives to establish a direct flight route between Gilan's Rasht International Airport and major Malaysian cities.

Meanwhile, Khairi noted that Malaysia’s growing demand for high-quality produce aligns with Gilan’s production capacity, creating opportunities for expanded trade.

“Malaysia is open to exploring avenues for closer collaboration in agricultural trade, particularly in rice and tea production. This collaboration can support our shared goal of enhancing food security and promoting sustainable trade,” said the ambassador.

Currently, Gilan produces 30,000 tonnes of green tea annually, while Iran’s national demand stands at 100,000 tonnes.

Haqshenas expressed Gilan’s willingness to pursue joint ventures and agricultural cooperation with Malaysia to help bridge this production gap.

Khairi also praised Gilan’s agricultural research institutions and expressed interest in partnerships with Malaysian research centres to promote innovation and sustainability.

Gilan’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty were highlighted, with the province described as a symbol of untapped potential.

“Visiting Gilan is truly an honour for me. This province holds immense promise with its scenic attractions and deep cultural legacy. The strong cultural affinity between Malaysia and Iran underscores their shared values of hospitality and brotherhood,” he added.

--BERNAMA