Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said Wednesday Turkish exports to Iran would surpass two billion USD in 2008.

Addressing a meeting aiming at boosting commercial relations between Turkey and Iran in Tehran, Tuzmen said that Turkey intended to increase trade volume with Iran to 20 billion USD by the end of 2011.

"Our goal is to leave a mark on the 21st century with Iran as two countries with a strategic position, deep rooted history, rich experiences and human as well as natural resources," Tuzmen said.

Pointing out the rise in oil and gas prices Tuzmed said "Iran's income is increasing. With its growing income, Iran will be able to make more investments. We want to increase commercial ties with Iran and participate in more construction projects. Iran's richness is our richness. This is how we think. We believe that Turkey's richness would be Iran's richness."

On his part Hamid Kian, chairman of Iranian Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association said that Turkey, with its actual potential, labor force, and know-how, had a lot to do in Iran.

Kian, who also serves as the secretary general of Turkish-Iranian Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association, said actual trade volume between Turkey and Iran was not sufficient, and consolidation of commercial ties would be in the interests of both countries.