Story by Abigirl Tembo
IRAN has expressed willingness to partner with Zimbabwe in various sectors of the economy as the Islamic nation continues to spread wings on the African continent.
Vice President General Retired Dr Constantino Chiwenga is leading a Zimbabwean delegation to the Iran-Africa International Economic Conference and the Iran Expo 2024.
The Vice President has met with Iran Minister of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare Mr Solat Mortazavi who is also the co-chair of the Zimbabwe-Iran Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC), where issues of deepening cooperation took centre stage.
“The Government of Zimbabwe remains committed to the full implementation of these agreements. We look forward to the realisation of the joint venture of the pharmaceutical project between the National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe (Natpharm) and Tamin Pharmaceutica Investments Company of Iran (TIPCO) which focuses on the following areas: procurement, distribution and manufacturing of essential medicines. 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. We are grateful for the offer, Honourable Minister. In addition, it is important that we come up with modalities of financial transactions between our two countries,” he said.
Iran Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare Mr Solat Mortazavi revealed several Iranian companies are willing to partner with Zimbabwe.
“We stand ready to partner with Zimbabwe. We need to cement the existing agreements in agriculture especially tobacco. At the ministry of labour we have diff holding companies when it comes to oil gas to dairy and a lot of things.
“We stand ready to open pharmaceutical companies in your country. We believe that making an investment or transfer knowledge to a country like Zimbabwe is not a cost is actually an investment,” he said.
Despite US sanctions, Iran boasts of a vibrant economy with a GDP of nearly two trillion United States dollars, ranking 11th globally. The nation is also home to strong universities, advanced technology, and innovative start-ups.
