Iran Press/ Iran News: Ministers, ambassadors, business leaders, and representatives of trade, energy, and industrial sectors of Iran and West African states have participated in the gathering.
High-ranking Iranian officials have hailed relations with Africa and stressed the importance of deepening cooperation between the two sides.
First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber said that 20 cooperation documents were signed on the first day of the gathering, adding that holding such meetings indicates the political determination of both Iran and Africa to develop economic ties.
He said that boosting relations with Africa is among the basic policies of the administration of President Ebrahim Raisi, promising that the administration will do whatever it can to make that happen.
Mokhber went on to say that trade with West African countries accounts for 40% of the whole trade between Iran and the continent, adding that the level, however, is not acceptable and should be increased given the existing potentials of Iran and West Africa.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Mehdi Safari also addressed the meeting on Monday.
He said that the economies of Iran and Africa complete each other, which can lead to eye-catching achievements given the numerous capacities that exist.
Safari explained that the current Iranian administration, in addition to trade and economic relations, has put on its agenda the development of cooperation in other sectors including culture and science with Africa, particularly countries on the west of the continent.
Similar comments were echoed by Minister of Industry, Trade, and Mine Reza Fatemi as he delivered a speech at the meeting.
He said that Iran’s exports to Africa have significantly grown in the past months, adding that oil, gas, engineering, and technical services as well as construction are some of the sectors Iran can use to further boost exports to Africa.
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