Iran, Ethiopia keen to expand investment, trade relations

TEHRAN, Feb 14, 2005 (Asia Pulse) — Visiting Ethiopian Minister of Finance and Economic Development Ahmed Sufian said here that “we are offering suitable opportunities to Iranian traders and investors and are keen to built economic ties with Tehran.”

Speaking at a gathering of Iran, Africa Cooperation Council, he added that “We are sure that without private sector activities economic development is unattainable.”

Iran and Ethiopia, through their private sectors, can expand cooperation, he added.

Ethiopian agricultural sector is large in size and hence the country need various machinery and equipment including machinery for farms, roads and building, as well as other industrial equipment. “We have signed many agreements with Iran the most important of which is the accord on elimination of double taxation on investments and finance,” Ahmad underlined.

General Secretary of Iran-Africa Cooperation Council Faghihi said that Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines (ICCIM) has dived Africa into South, West, East and North and horn of Africa and has devised appropriate policies for each section.

Also an Iran-Africa site has been established which provide the latest information and news on delegations visits, and holding of investments and trade seminars to interested parties. Meanwhile, in a ceremony at the presence of Iran’s ambassador to Addis Ababa and Ethiopian scientific and cultural officials a project to equip libraries of Ethiopia and research centres affiliated to Addis Ababa University was presented to the president of that university.

The project, financed by Iranian private companies, is in the framework of the development aids offered by the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Ethiopian government.

Computers and computer accessories, facilities for automation in access to documents, and new books for the libraries are among the other commitments of the different Iranian institutes and centres. In the ceremony, the president of Addis Ababa University in his speech praised the Islamic Republic of Iran`s effort in improving the educational equipment and boosting the cultural level of African countries.

President Mohammad Khatami has also stressed the importance given to African states by Iranian foreign policy and has called for consolidation of ties with countries of the Black Continent, particularly Ethiopia, Kenya and Ghana.

Africa has the potential of becoming a great market for Iran in terms of exports of technical and building services, Khatami said, and called for more active participation by the country’s private sector and enhancement of political, cultural, economic, industrial and agricultural ties.