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Hyderabad , Sept. 29:

IRAN has asked Indian information technology (IT) companies to take part in its efforts to establish IT parks in their country.

Addressing members of FAPCCI (Federation of AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry) here on Wednesday, Mr Syvosh Zargar Yaghoubi, Ambassador of Iran, said a pilot project was on where Indian companies would establish five such parks in Iran.

As an extension of this project, there was a proposal to establish 50 more such parks. About $300 million would be spent on them.

Stating that non-oil segment had huge potential for bilateral trade ties, he said bio-technology, higher education, tourism and energy were key areas that could be tapped.

Referring to various logistics projects that would improve land connectivity to the Central Asian markets, Mr Yaghoubi said new transit and transport corridors would boost trade in this part of the world.

He said private organisations had good opportunities in the field of higher education. "We have decided to recognise more colleges in India in order to offer choice to our students. Some of them are in Andhra Pradesh. Private organisations can tap this," he said.

"Our students prefer India to European Union," he said.

Mr Hossein Ravesh, Counsel General of Iran, called for bilateral familiarisation visits to throw light on opportunities, besides activating chambers of commerce in the two countries.

"We have invited the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh to visit our country," he said.

He also cited his country's invitation to the Hyderabad-based CCMB (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology) to visit Iran to assist in its effort to restore the Asian Cheetah.

He also felt the need for introduction of a direct flight between Tehran-Hyderabad.

Referring to the cultural roots with Hyderabad, he said Iran would help the local authorities to maintain the cultural monuments.

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