Tehran, May 29, IRNA-The 12th International Food, Food Processing and Agricultural Trade Fair (Iran Agrofood 2005) opened here at the site of Tehran Permanent Fairground on Sunday. Some 264 domestic and 176 foreign companies from 22 countries participated in the four-day exhibition which is held in a 22,000-sqm area.

Foodstuff as well as agricultural products and machinery are among the items displayed at the exhibition.

Addressing the Agroofood 2005 inaugural ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Jihad Gholamreza Sahrayan said that it would provide the Iranian craftsmen with a chance to get familiar with the latest agricultural technologies.

He added that the exhibition would also help foreign craftsmen to know further about Iran's potentials particularly in the field of agriculture.