ZIMBABWE is working with Iran to ensure that the two friendly countries develop high-impact economic projects together, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.
He said this when he met Iranian Minister for Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare Solat Mortazavi on the sidelines of the Iran-Africa International Economic Conference here yesterday.
The meeting seeks to promote mutually beneficial economic cooperation between the Middle East energy powerhouse and African states.
In line with President Mnangagwa’s drive towards economic diplomacy, it has been a busy working visit for VP Chiwenga, who has had to fulfil several economic cooperation assignments on the sidelines of the main event.
Most of the discussions have centred on operationalising 12 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed by the two countries when the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi visited Zimbabwe last year.
“As Zimbabwe assumes the chairmanship of SADC in August 2024, with the theme ‘Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC’, we desire to facilitate the strengthening of relations between Iran and SADC, with a population of 269 million people, and the whole of the African Continental Free Trade Area, with a population of 1,3 billion people,” said VP Chiwenga.
“It is my intention to work on the accelerated implementation of the agreements we have signed so that our countries can benefit on a win-win basis.
“Iran is an important partner for Zimbabwe as you have managed to develop in spite of sanctions. It gives Zimbabwe hope that we can also do the same.”
Zimbabwe, VP Chiwenga said, wants to learn from Iran’s technological advancements in key sectors like health, industry and commerce, agriculture, mining, infrastructure, and science and technology.
“We also look forward to partnerships in the area of skills development. The Government of Zimbabwe has set up innovation hubs, industrial parks and science parks in our institutions of higher learning, and through these institutions, students and lecturers are producing indigenous products and services benefitting the country.
“I am aware that the Iranian Technical and Vocational Training Organisation has expressed willingness to partner Zimbabwe in that area, particularly the offer for scholarships in the technical and scientific fields,” added VP Chiwenga.
In his remarks, Minister Mortazavi said: “We are looking forward to working with Zimbabwe and we want to see the full implementation and operationalisation, especially of the 12 MoUs that we signed with Zimbabwe.”
A business delegation accompanying Minister Mortazavi said they will visit Zimbabwe in the next 30 days.
Sunday Mail
