‘Expansion of ties with S Africa important for Iran’

Iran’s minister of economy and finance says Tehran attaches great significance to the expansion of trade ties with South Africa.

“The level of political relations between the two countries has always been favorable and we hope that the visit (by the South African official) would contribute to the promotion of economic ties between Iran and South Africa,” said Ali Tayebnia after a meeting with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane in Tehran on Monday.
The Iranian minister also pointed to “many” common grounds and interests shared by the two countries and said the existing level of trade volume between the Iran and South Africa is not proportionate to the economic capacities of Tehran and Pretoria.

“Given the economic capabilities and capacities which exist in South Africa, expansion of ties with this country is of great importance for Iran,” the Iranian minister of economy and finance noted.

Meanwhile, South African minister of international relations said her country is keen on expanding cooperation with Iran in diverse areas including agriculture, technology and arrogation.

South African Minister of International Relations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sign cooperation documents on May 11, 2015. © AFP
She also called for the prompt implementation of agreements made by the two country’s joint cooperation commission.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Nkoana-Mashabane is in Tehran to attend the 12th meeting of the South African-Iran Joint Commission.

The two-day event is aimed at reviewing ways to promote bilateral ties between Iran and South Africa.