NEW: Zim participates in Iran-Africa economic conference

Zvamaida Murwira in Tehran, IRAN

ZIMBABWE is set to participate in the third edition of the Iran-Africa Economic Cooperation Conference, a high-level event aimed at deepening economic ties and consolidating cooperation between Tehran and African countries.

Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga is expected here this morning, in time for the opening of the conference, where he will lead a multi-sectoral Zimbabwean delegation.

The event coincides with the seventh edition of the Iran Expo, an international showcase of Iran’s export potential across various sectors.

The conference forms part of Iran’s broader strategy to boost economic cooperation with African countries and increase trade volumes, which currently stand at around US$1,4 billion annually.

Zimbabwe’s participation in the week-long event is aligned with President Mnangagwa’s economic diplomacy agenda, which seeks to expand international partnerships and accelerate the country’s drive towards achieving its vision of becoming an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

Several engagements have been lined up for VP Chiwenga, including meetings with senior Iranian government officials and captains of industry, as well as project site visits to appreciate Iran’s developmental achievements.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Iran Bright Kupemba said Zimbabwe had much to learn from Iran, particularly given that the Middle East country, like Zimbabwe, has managed to resiliently grow its economy under decades-long sanctions imposed by the United States.

“The Iran-Africa Economic Cooperation Conference and Expo are meant to expand and strengthen relations between Iran and Africa,” he said. “The focus is on investment, trade development and exchange of knowledge.

“It will also give an opportunity for Iran and African businesspersons, entrepreneurs, to interface on current and contemporary trends on business, markets and the global economy.”

He noted that the conference and expo would cover multiple sectors, but this year’s major focus would be on agriculture, mining, tourism, science and technology, and health.

“Fortuitously, these are the areas we are focusing on as a country, which form the backbone of our economy,” he added.

“We want to learn from their experience. As you know, Iran has been under sanctions for the past 45 years but they are doing wonders across the board, in all the sectors.

“They have transitioned from resource-based to knowledge-based development. That is an area Africa, including Zimbabwe would want to take a leaf from.”

Amb Kupemba said the 13 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) that were signed between President Mnangagwa and his then-counterpart, the late Ebrahim Raisi, in 2023 in Harare are being implemented.

On the health front, Amb Kupemba highlighted that Zimbabwe was eager to create partnerships, especially in cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment, as well as cancer treatment, given Iran’s significant advancements in these fields.

He also noted that Zimbabwean businesspeople would have opportunities to network and create synergies with both Iranian and fellow African entrepreneurs during the conference’s various sessions.

Zimbabwe and Iran already enjoy strong bilateral ties, which they are now working to translate into tangible economic cooperation.

In 2023, during a State visit to Harare by then-President Raisi, the two countries signed 13 MOUs across a range of sectors, including agriculture, mining, health, energy and education.

According to Amb Kupemba, implementation of these agreements is underway and progressing well.