Iran Seeks Hi-Tech Ties With Zimbabwe

Iranian delegation holds meeting with Republic of Zimbabwe officials including Vice-President Joice Mujuru. Both nations have faced western sanctions., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Iran seeks hi-tech ties with Zim

October 29, 2013
Herald Reporters

A four-member Iranian delegation is in Zimbabwe to seek areas of co-operation in the field of science and technology to help transform and develop the country’s use of new technologies.The delegation, which is on a three-day visit, yesterday met Vice President Joice Mujuru where they discussed areas of co-operation and later toured the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (Sirdic).

Head of delegation and head of the Centre for Innovation and Technology Co-operation in Iran, Professor Hamid Reza Amirinia, who was accompanied by Iranian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mohammad Amin Nejad and Sirdic chief executive officer Dr Robson Mafoti said the delegation had a fruitful meeting with VP Mujuru.

Prof Amirinia said Iran was willing to work with Zimbabwe as the two countries already had strong ties.

“Iran is a pioneer country in science and technology in the Middle East, especially in hi-tech, for example in nanotechnology, biotechnology. We have many hi-tech products in the world,” he said.

“We are ready to support this area, to export our hi-tech products to Zimbabwe and to have a transfer of technology to Zimbabwe.”

Prof Amirinia said Zimbabwe had many educated people who could start production of hi-tech products.

“We could start a new era of progression in science and technology, not only between Iran and Zimbabwe, but Africa as a whole,” he said.

“We have many technologies that benefit the agricultural sector and we are ready to sign several Memoranda of Understanding.”

At Sirdic, Prof Amirinia met with officials to discuss and identify areas of interest for meaningful developments.

Prof Amirinia said Zimbabweans were to benefit from technologies that they would acquire in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, agricultural research and food science and technology, information and communication technologies, health and medical sciences, metallurgy, industrial technology and further areas that may be mutually agreed upon in future.

“We believe in technology as a tool for progress and all people have a right to it,” he said. “We want to start cooperation with Sirdic to empower people through technology and bring progress to the people of Zimbabwe.

“We are going to conduct collaborative research and development work in identified areas, exchange and secondment of expertise and training personnel, sharing of information and research findings.”

Dr Mafoti expressed gratitude towards the initiative by Iran, saying that the move would benefit the country and boost the economy.

“We are glad to have Iran visiting us and I am confident to say that we are going to benefit from this initiative which will boost the country’s economy,” he said.

The Iranian delegation is expected to visit the Harare Institute of Technology today and hold meetings with several ministers among them Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa, Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni and Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Olivia Muchena.

Iran and Zimbabwe already have multiple co-operation agreements covering political ties and economic relations.