Iran and Zimbabwe, both grappling with US sanctions, have agreed to develop relations, especially in the economic field, after Zimbabwean first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa paid an official visit to the Islamic Republic.

�Relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Zimbabwe have always been brotherly and friendly and I hope they�will develop day by day,� Minister of Cooperation, Labor and Social Welfare Sowlat Mortazavi said in remarks published on Tuesday.

Mortazavi described Zimbabwe �a friend and strategic ally� of the Islamic Republic in Africa, noting that the two countries have common positions in international forums.

�Iran and Zimbabwe are under the cruel sanctions of the West and the United States. Hence, we must try to develop economic relations and be able to use our bilateral capacities,� he added.

The two countries plan to hold a joint commission meeting in Tehran, with Mortazavi saying that 11 documents for cooperation have been drafted for signing.

He announced Iran�s readiness for transfer of knowledge and creating a platform for development of energy, transportation, tourism, medicine, and mining�in Zimbabwe.

�We are ready to benefit from all capacities for development in Zimbabwe,� Mnangagwa said.

She said new technologies and the development and growth that exist in Iran can help drive Zimbabwe�s prosperity.

Zimbabwe, she said, needs Iran�s support and counts on it to defeat sanctions and grow its economy.

The Zimbabwean first lady hailed Iran�s experiences in beating sanctions, especially its ability to emerge strongly in the field of production by relying on its domestic capacities.

She pointed out the existence of many mines in Zimbabwe, announcing her country�s full readiness to support the transfer of knowledge of Iranian engineers for exploitation, extraction and processing of the mining resources.

�There are many economic and investment opportunities in Zimbabwe and we provide any support needed to Iranian companies,� she added.

 

 

By PRESS TV�