France-based Alstom, a multinational company operating worldwide in rail transport markets, recently signed a major deal with Iran to produce subway cars, said a report.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Tehran in which Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammadreza Nematzadeh was also present, added the Iran Daily News report, citing Tasnim News Agency.

Officials from Alstom, the Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO) and Iranian Rail Industries Development Company (IRICO) inked the trilateral agreement, it said.

Nematzadeh said that the Iranian rail transport industry has had a minor share in the country's development, and called for efforts to develop the industry.

He further pointed to the subway projects in seven metropolises nationwide, noting that manufacturing subway cars is one of the primary requirements for the projects.