Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today announced in the National Assembly in parliament in Cape Town that he will be leading high-level South African diplomatic and trade delegation on an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The trip is scheduled to take place from November 7-9.
During the visit the South African delegation will "explore opportunities for foreign direct investment‚ create trading opportunities for South African investors while identifying skills development and training opportunities for South Africans in various Iranian sectors"‚ his office said in a statement.
He will be accompanied by Minister Nomvula Mokonyane‚ Deputy Ministers Nomaindia Mfeketo‚ Bheki Cele‚ Thokozile Xasa‚ Mcebisi Jonas and will include representatives of Eskom‚ Mintek‚ the Council for Geo-science‚ Financial Intelligence Centre‚ SA Revenue Service and a sizeable business delegation.
Ramaphosa is also expected to pay a courtesy call on Iranian president Hassan Rouhani‚ and hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri "to strengthen bilateral political relations‚ consolidate regional co-operation on strategic regional security and stability in Africa and the Middle East while enhancing bilateral co-operation on reform of global political and economic governance including reform of the UN Security Council".
He is expected to inaugurate the South Africa-Iran Business Council‚ following a meeting in May this year‚ at which the two countries agreed to elevate and consolidate trade‚ investment and economic relations.
"The re-establishment of bilateral relations in 1994 brought about an increase in trade relations between the two countries. However‚ there has been a decline in trade affected by sanctions‚ resulting in reduction in South African exports to Iran reducing from R1‚27 billion in 2008 to R270 million in 2014‚" his office said.
"Deputy President Ramaphosa’s delegation will also explore opportunities for the co-operation in the energy sector with a view of attracting investment into South African refinery and shipping capacity and for an exchange of technology and skills in the energy sectors."
Several Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) are expected to be finalised during the official visit in agriculture; finance‚ trade and industry‚ mineral resources and in science and technology. In addition the delegation will also explore collaboration between tertiary institutions‚ secure cooperation on skills development‚ identify opportunities in aquaculture and agriculture technology exchanges‚ scholarships in the medical field and Masters programmes.
RDM News Wire.
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