Iran triples trade envoys abroad to boost commerce

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A senior Iranian trade official says Tehran will almost triple the number of commercial attaches in its embassies abroad to boost trade ties.

Miraboutaleb Badri, an official with the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, is quoted by Iranian newspapers on Monday as saying the government is raising the number of commercial attaches abroad from 11 to 30.

Badri says new trade attaches will also be dispatched to Germany, Italy, Serbia, Spain and Switzerland.

The move is part of efforts by moderate President Hassan Rouhani's administration to boost trade relations.

It comes after a November interim deal with world powers eased some sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs on its controversial nuclear program. Trade delegations from across the world have since visited Iran to discuss resumption of bilateral businesses.