Iran and Zimbabwe plan to intensify cooperation and exchange expertise in small and medium industries sector. Iran, for its part, will construct industrial parks in the African country, the head of Iran Small Industries and Industrial Parks Organization (ISIPO) Ali Abrishami announced in a joint meeting with his Zimbabwean counterpart in Tehran.
During the meeting, Zimbabwean Secretary for Small Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Sithembiso Nyoni called for further industrial cooperation with Iran, saying that her country has obtained great experience in improving and supporting small industries in the past ten years and has been successful in devising pertinent plans.
Nyoni also called for exchange of expertise in export and agriculture sectors as well as in the industry sector.
At the end of the meeting, a draft agreement was prepared to be signed after the required modifications by both sides.
As part of the agreement, Iran has pledged to construct industrial parks in Zimbabwe. During their visit to Tehran, the Zimbabwean delegation will tour several industrial parks.
During the past decade, Iran’s relations with African states have been constantly on the rise.
Small and medium enterprises account for 92 percent of the active industrial units across Iran.
The government tries to create jobs and increase exports through small industries and hardly seeks to improve and empower small units via absorbing investors and is presently poised to offer 730 of industrial parks and zones to investors.
There are more than 900 industrial parks and zones all over Iran, 700 of which have become operational.
Iran is considered as one of African Union’s strategic partners along with India, Japan, China, several South American states.
Iran and Zimbabwe have developed bilateral economic and political ties in recent years. In 2005, the countries signed multiple cooperation agreements covering political and economic relations.
Both countries have been facing restrictions as a result of western sanctions.
