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Iranian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Abbas Navazani
Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 which resulted in the collapse of the Pahlavi’s monarchical and puppet regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been able to maintain its independence based on three principles: wisdom, dignity and expediency.
Within this framework, reliance on domestic capabilities for growth and development have been favoured by the Islamic Republic of Iran resulting in the cruel US sanctions failing to impede the flourishing of our talents.
Accordingly, the achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran in various areas including science, technology, medicine, exports of oil and non-oil products, observation of human rights and women rights have been eye-catching.
After the revolution, with the combined efforts of educational centres, millions of those who had previously been deprived of education became literate.
Based on these successes, UNESCO has identified Iran on several occasions in the past years as one of the most successful countries in the world in the fight against illiteracy.
Our scientific advances and access to some new technologies in recent years have been astonishing in a way that has alarmed US to intensify the pressures, sabotage and sanctions imposed on Iran under the pretext of our nuclear issue and missile capabilities.
Improvement in the scientific level of the society, increase in literacy rates, the growth of scientific centres and universities, the increase in the number of students in different scientific disciplines and Iran’s top ranking in the number of articles and scientific references and patents and excellence in nanotechnology, nuclear, space and stem cell technology are among out most important scientific and technological achievements.
Today, about 2 percent of the world’s scientific achievements belong to Iran and more than 200 Iranian scientists are among the world’s top scientists, a clear show of our flourishing talents.
It is worth noting that since the advent of nanotechnology in the world, we have come up with this technology on time and today we have reached a degree of progress whereby we are the sixth leading country in the world in this field.
We have also made significant strides in the field of nuclear peaceful technology and sanctions have failed to deter us from the path. Now we have achieved to significant progress in the variety fields of nuclear industries such as agricultural and medical industries and as the result we are one of the rare countries which produce nuclear medicine.
On the other hand, according to the prestigious Global Photon Institute, Iran is one of the emerging powers in the field of aerospace technology and the 11th country in terms of development in the field of space technology.
We are also among the 11 countries with satellite launch technology. In the field of stem cell technology, we are among the 10 top countries in the world and are the first in the region. In addition, today there are 4 700 Iranian knowledge-based companies operating a bulwark against sanctions.
Today, we have become one of the hubs of research, technology, health, health education and physicians in the region and are in the top ranks of the world in many medical and health fields.
According to the medical system analysis, there are 78 000 general practitioners in Iran, 36 000 specialists and sub-specialist physicians, 24 000 general dentists and 2 000 specialist dentists.
Our advances in medical medicines are another success. Providing domestic facilities for influenza and corona vaccines are among some of other achievements in recent years.
Also the production of HIV medicines, diabetes and thalassemia patients’ treatment is another feather in the cap of Iran.
Women have been able to play a more influential role in decision-making. Today, Iranian women play an active role in seven areas comprising education, health, employment and businesses, media, sports, decision-making, environment, climate and crises.
Today the literacy rate of Iranian women is more than 90 percent and more than 60 percent of the entries to Iranian universities are women.
Currently, 600 000 women working different sectors of Iranian education system are active. About 40 percent of the Iranian specialist physicians are women.
The position of women in the Iranian Islamic society and their role in the highest governmental institutions, especially the presidential offices, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, educational centres, research and universities, the promotion of women’s national affairs to the Vice Presidency for Women and Family Affairs is an indication of the serious will of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In the field of exports, last year, despite the maximum pressure and the wide range of US sanctions, Iran’s exports to Africa, increased by 100 percent compared to 2020.
We are striving hard to improve trade and economic relations with the African continent, especially with the friendly and brotherly country of Zimbabwe.
Based on our mutual relations with Zimbabwe, I am happy to say that Iran and Zimbabwe have always enjoyed cordial relations dating back to the time of the liberation struggle.
Premised on these relations we also welcome the mantra “Zimbabwe is open for business” in this new dispensation orchestrated by His Excellency Dr E.D Mnangagwa.
The Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to expand economic relations with Zimbabwe, based on the principle of “South-South” co-operation. In this regard over the past year and a half, the exchange of high-ranking delegations between the two countries has increased dramatically, the two Presidents of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Zimbabwe had a meeting on the side-line of UN Assembly, recently Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, the First Lady of Zimbabwe paid an official visit to Iran.
Consequently, this visit ramped up efforts to promote business interaction between the two countries. Incidentally the first and most important effect of this visit was the holding of a successful Joint Planning Cell (JPC) in Tehran.
The two parties signed several memorandums of understanding whereby economic and commercial contracts were also concluded between the parties in various fields.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Frederick Shava, paid an official visit to Iran for two days recently to participate in the Ninth JCCP accompanied by Minister of information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa and Minister of Industry and Commerce Sekai Nzenza.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade David Musabayana an official visit to Iran twice as well and Member of Parliament and chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Webster Shamu as the chairperson of the Iran-Zimbabwe Parliamentary Friendship Association also travelled to Tehran as leader of a parliamentary delegation.
Iran’s specialist doctors last year visited Zimbabwe on a skills and knowledge sharing mission with local counterparts.
It therefore gives me pride to mention that the commercial interaction between the private sectors has grown by almost 900 percent following the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions. Furthermore, and according to official statistics this indicates the serious intentions of both sides in the creation of good and solid platforms for co-operation.
The bilateral relations between the two countries are ever increasing despite the existence of the illegal and cruel sanctions against two countries.
Over the past years, Iranian private companies in various technical-engineering fields have commenced their activities in Zimbabwe to strengthen the process of production and localisation of manufacturing industries in Zimbabwe, which is increasing significantly in the respective fields.
In this regard, Iran will always stand by the Government and people of Zimbabwe and we will definitely overcome these current economic challenges by working tirelessly together. Iran as one of the oldest civilisations in the world is a peaceful country in the region and very supportive to other independent nations.
I wish at this juncture to extend my sincere thanks to Zimbabwean private companies who support the friendship between our two nations and extend cordial greetings and best wishes to the Iranian community who have always been supportive of the development of the friendly relations between the two countries.
Online Reporter