TEHRAN: A senior Iranian energy official said that South Africa has voiced its enthusiasm for the promotion of mutual cooperation with Tehran in various fields of crude and natural gas imports as well as investing in joint energy projects.
Director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) for International Affairs Mohsen Qamsari said that South Africa has been one of the traditional customers of Iran, and added that the African country wants to purchase Iran crude, natural gas, petrochemicals and invest in joint projects.
In recent years, Iran has sought hard to boost ties and cooperation with Africa.
Iran is an observing member of the African Union (AU) and has shown an active presence in previous AU summit meetings.
In December, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called for widening cooperation with Africa
“Africa is of paramount importance in Iran’s foreign policy,” Zarif said in a meeting with visiting Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Mahboub Maalim in Tehran.
After the November 2013 interim accord between Iran and the six major world powers on Tehran nuclear program as well as the Lausanne understanding on April 2, the crude consumers worldwide have voiced their willingness for resumption or enhancement of crude imports from Iran.
If Iran and the six major world powers reach a final agreement before the July 1 deadline, sanctions on Iran’s oil sector will be lifted and Tehran will be able to supply the international markets with one million barrels more of crude.
Pakistan to get $3b loan from Islamic Trade Financing Corporation
ISLAMABAD: Islamic Trade Financing Corporation (ITFC) to provide Pakistan with a $3 billion loan, according to an official statement released...
