Thomson ReutersPresident Jacob Zuma speaks during the official launch of the eChannel Pilot Project of the Department of Home Affairs in MidrandDUBAI / JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African President Jacob Zuma arrived in Iran on Sunday to strengthen political, trade and investment ties after crippling global sanctions against the Islamic Republic were lifted earlier this year, his office said.
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Iran and South Africa have inked a joint memorandum in the field of Gas to liquids (GTL) at the presence of the two countries’ presidents.
He said Iran has always been a key supplier of crude oil to South Africa, stressing that his country had suffered as a result of the sanctions – which prevented Iran from selling oil beyond a low ceiling of about 1 million barrels per day. Following the Shah’s removal, an Islamic Republic was established under Ayatollah Khomeini.
The Presidency’s spokesperson Bongani Majola said the state visit is “an important structural catalyst in elevating bilateral and economic relations into a substantive strategic partnership”.
Heading a high-ranking 180-member economic and politic delegation, Zuma will meet senior Iranian officials including Rouhani, the oil ministry’s official SHANA news agency reported.
Iranian media said the two countries signed eight agreements on cooperation in areas including trade, industries, investments, agriculture, water resources and oil industry research and development.
Mr Rouhani, whose government in January implemented last summer’s nuclear deal with Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany, paid tribute to Mandela, who died aged 95 in 2013. Iran has, in return, put some limitations on its nuclear activities.
South Africa was importing a third of its domestic oil from Iran, but after the United States, UK and Canada announced nuclear-related sanctions in November 2011, the countries’ trade relations were severely impacted.
Upon his arrival at the Meh-rabad airport, Zuma was welcomed by Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
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He is scheduled to leave Tehran for the historic province of Isfahan on Monday.
