Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif pressed his message of Iran’s desire for enhancing economic cooperation with African countries, as he wrapped up his politico-economic tour in Mali.
“The visit by this large delegation, comprising representatives of Iran’s public and private sectors from the fields of road and dam building, electricity, science and technology, health and banking, is the sign of our determination to forge ties with West African nations,” he was quoted as saying in Mali on Thursday.
Zarif and his 70-strong accompanying delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday morning.
On his six-day tour which started on Sunday, the Iranian minister visited Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry and Mali, met with government officials and took part in economic forums, IRNA reported.
Iran’s economic players also signed agreements in the fields of auto and customs affairs with the four West African countries.
Hadi Nasseri, managing director of Seniran Auto–an auto manufacturing joint venture between Iran and Senegal—said Iranian auto manufacturer Iran Khodro Company will export its products, namely Samand, Dena and Runna, to Guinea and Nigeria via Senegal.
“Iran’s bifuel taxis are very popular in Western Africa,” he added.
Abdolreza Gholami, an official with the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, said to improve political and economic relations, Iran and the four African countries signed preliminary customs agreement on mutual administrative cooperation and transit as well as cooperation in valuation and classification of goods.
Back in February 2015, Zarif travelled to Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania at the head of a high-ranking political and economic delegation. He also paid a visit to North African countries of Tunisia and Algeria in August 2015.
Expansion of relations with African countries in political, economic and cultural fields has been a matter of prime importance for Iran’s foreign policy.
President Hassan Rouhani, who took office in August 2013, has repeatedly stressed his government’s interest in boosting relations with African nations.
