Pretoria- International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, is in Tehran, Iran, for a two-day working visit aimed at enhancing relations between the two countries.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane, who arrived on Sunday, will participate in the 20th anniversary celebrations of South Africa’s freedom and democracy, hosted by the South African Embassy in Tehran as well as meet with her counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, and pay a courtesy call to President Hassan Rouhani.
She is also expected to deliver a keynote address at a seminar under the theme: “20 years of South Africa’s freedom and relations between South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran”.
“The objective of the seminar is to share with Iranians, South Africa’s holistic, political and constitutional experience; to enhance South Africa / Iran trade relations and investment through the promotion of mutually beneficial investment opportunities; and to develop cultural exchange programmes between South Africa and Iran,” said the department in a statement.
South Africa maintains a friendly relationship with Iran. Bilateral trade with Iran for 2013 amounted to R211 million. Total imports from Iran amounted to R48.6 million and total exports to Iran amounted to R162.6 million.
However, the international sanctions imposed against the Iran have made trade increasingly difficult. One of the effects of these sanctions was that South Africa had to end its oil imports from Iran in June 2012.
The two countries have a Joint Commission which allows the two governments the opportunity to take stock of relations and to consider means in which bilateral ties can be further expanded. –SAnews.gov.za
