Iran-S Africa Trade Ties Stressed

Tehran, Aug 18, IRNA - The northwestern province of East Azarbaijan is willing to develop agricultural, trade and mining ties with South Africa, the provincial governor said. Esmaiel Jabbarzadeh made the statement in his meeting with South Africaˈs Ambassador to Iran William Max Whitehead on Sunday. Jabbarzadeh invited South African President Jacob Zuma to visit the province, adding that the two countries have high potentials for developing trade relations. He said in case African countries are ready to cooperate, the province will import petrochemical products, he said, stressing that joint ventures will benefit both countries. Jabbarzadeh noted that the province is ready to attract investors for producing new energies and the Iranian government also supports plans for producing renewable energy. Both sides have high tourism capabilities and can promote ties in this sector. The South African ambassador, for his part, said the 12th Tehran-Pretoria Economic Commission session will be held in Tehran in September. Whitehead said the two countries have numerous economic and trade commonalities. “South Africa has made several achievements in terms of technology and machinery, particularly in automotive and agricultural sectors,” he said, noting that these achievements can help expand bilateral relations./end