Tunisia awaiting Iran-made cars

Iran's largest carmaker, Iran-Khodro Company (IKCO), announced that its products will be exported to Tunisia following its recent deal with a Tunisian company."This is basically brought up based on a request by a Tunisian company to open a sale and after-sale services center for IKCO cars and the draft awaits IKCO officials' approval," the company reported."The two companies' authorities have held several meetings and discussed all conditions of the contract. The last meeting was held in March 2013, in which the Tunisian party asked for selling IKCO cars like Samand, Runna, Dena, Soren and Sarir in that country, while providing the needed after-sale services," it added.The two sides' cooperation will also include providing IKCO cars with parts supplied by Tunisian part makers. In 2012, a letter of understanding based on the Irano-Tunisia economic cooperation commission's agreement was signed to supply 1000 sets of IKCO cars to Tunisia.In the past the Tunisian government had a monopoly on car imports, however the obstacles are gradually being removed. Iran Khodro believes Tunisia suits its developmental goals in the global markets. According to IKCO deputy CEO in export, Tunisia can be a threshold for IKCO to enter North African countries, mainly Libya and Algeria.Global carmakers have a special interest in North African markets. IKCO has also exported cars to this region during the past years. The company has aimed to improve sales in these countries with its new cars.IKCO also has a production plant in Senegal.