Iranian engineers have planned and constructed three new dairy production factories in Venezuela, as Tehran further enhances ties with Caracas.

The three dairy production plants were inaugurated by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, accompanied by several Venezuelan ministers and officials, according to reports on Monday (Jun 21).

Chavez called Iran one of his country's most important friends and praised the advanced technology used in the plant.

"Each of the three plants is provided with a daily amount of 18 tonnes of milk which is processed into dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt and cream," said Raji, one of the Iranian engineers of the plants. The factories' products will be distributed in Venezuela's deprived areas at low prices.

Iran has so far planned and constructed 13 dairy production factories in Venezuela to process a daily amount of 360 tonnes of milk throughout the country.