International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane touched down in Tehran, Iran, on Sunday for a two-day working visit, her department said. Nkoana-Mashabane was expected to address a seminar called "20 years of South Africa's freedom and relations between South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran", said spokesman Clayson Monyela in a statement.
"The objective of the seminar is to share with Iranians, South Africa's holistic, political and constitutional experience, to enhance...trade relations and investment....and to develop cultural exchange programmes between South Africa and Iran."

During her visit, Nkoana-Mashabane will meet with Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif, and pay a courtesy call to Iran's president Hassan Rouhani.

Monyela said South Africa maintained a friendly relationship with Iran, even though international sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic made trade increasingly difficult.

Bilateral trade with Iran for 2013 amounted to R211 million, the department said. Total imports from Iran amounted to R48.6m and total exports to Iran amounted to R162.6m.

By The New Age

 

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