Iran Press/Iran news: Rouhollah Latifi, the spokesman of Iran’s Customs Administration, announced the figure on Monday during his speech at a gathering to evaluate Iran-Africa trade opportunities.
The Spokesman for the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), Seyyed Rouhollah Latifi, "This year, exports have grown by 40% and imports by 147% with 55 African countries compared to the same period last year."
"Development of relations with neighbors, countries in the region and presence in the market of nearby and aligned countries is one of the policies of the 13th government, which includes 55 African countries," Latiifi said.
He explained that 1.354 million tons of goods worth $741,122,922 were traded between Iran and Africa in the first five months of the current Iranian year.
Out of that, the official added, Iran’s exports accounted for 1,311,647 tons of goods worth $696,731,412 and sent to 37 African countries, while imports to Iran accounted for 42,629 tons of goods worth $44,391,510 from 19 African nations.
Latifi said South Africa, Mozambique, Sudan, Nigeria, and Ghana were the top destinations of Iranian goods.
Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ghana had the most imports to Iran, respectively, he added.
The official also said that imports mainly included raw materials and machinery, while Iran mainly exported foodstuff, minerals, petro-refinery, and oil derivatives products.
Latifi said trade with Africa had seen a jump, but goals are yet to be achieved.
Also present at the gathering was the South African Ambassador to Tehran, Vika Mazwi Khumalo.
He said that trade between Iran and Africa dated back to the last century and began to grow after African nations got independence, however, it is not at a desirable level yet due to certain problems.
The South African envoy hailed the incumbent Iranian administration for attaching importance to developing trade ties with Africa and proposed that services be traded between Iran and the continent to expand cooperation further. 219
