Lack of Information Major Hurdle in Way of Tehran-Harare Trae Ties
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce Gholamhossein Shafei yesterday met Zimbabwean Ambassador to Tehran Christopher Mapanga and during the meeting, both explored ways for boosting economic cooperation.
In the meeting, Shafei blamed lack of information about Zimbabwe’s economic potentials as a hurdle for boosting economic cooperation between both states.
He also criticized sanctions against Zimbabwe, adding that sanction is the common pain for Iran and Zimbabwe.
Shafei added that interactions could be a good base for economic activities of Zimbabwe, admitting that currently, bilateral economic relations between Iran and Zimbabwe is in its lowest level since 2015 and no joint economic commission has been held since 2015. He called for immediate holding of the meeting which can have a positive impact on economic cooperation.
Shafei added that there are several fields for cooperation, noting that Iran and Zimbabwe can cooperate in agro, mine, energy, oil derivatives, technical and engineering services and agro machineries.
He also blamed lack of enough information about economic potentials which have slowed down bilateral trade, adding that Iran Chamber of Commerce is ready to hold Zimbabwe Economic Day and it will be a good opportunity for introduction of Zimbabwean economic capacities for Iranian economic activists.
Meanwhile, Mapanga, for his part, pointed to the pressures of sanctions on Iran and Zimbabwe, adding that Zimbabwe has been tolerating pressures and sanctions for years and today it has decided to learn from Iran how to handle the pressures.
He also called for exchange of trade information between both states for setting a comprehensive solution for bilateral economic relations, adding that currently 70 percent of land in Zimbabwe is ready for cultivation but it has remained intact because it needs agro machineries.
Mapanga noted Iran can help his country in this field, saying there are several undiscovered rich mines of metals in Zimbabwe and the country is rich in gas reserves but it is weak in terms of electricity production.
He also called for cooperation between chambers of commerce of both states in order to help their governments for developing economic relations.
