‘Continent of Alternative’: Iran’s President Begins Africa Tour | Politics Information

The president is in Africa a month after a three-country tour of Latin America.

Tehran, Iran – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has launched into his first go to to Africa, which Tehran goals to make use of to spice up political and financial ties throughout the continent.

Raisi left Tehran on Tuesday for a visit that can take him to Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, the primary go to by an Iranian president to Africa in 11 years.

On Monday, International Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani advised reporters that Africa is a “continent of alternative” that Iran needs to have interaction with and Tehran is keen to reciprocate.

“We are able to describe this journey as a brand new place to begin to boost financial and commerce relations in addition to political and cultural ties with international locations on this continent,” he mentioned.

Alireza Paymanpak, the previous head of Iran’s Commerce Promotion Group and now an official on the Ministry of Agriculture, advised state tv forward of the go to that Iran has been “ignoring” alternatives in Africa lately as China and A lot of Tehran’s neighbors, together with Turkey. And the United Arab Emirates has strengthened its presence on the continent.

Pak mentioned Iran exported $1.2 billion value of products and providers to Africa final 12 months, together with petrochemical merchandise, meals, drugs and engineering and technical providers. He added that the quantity was nonetheless inadequate although it was an enchancment over the earlier years.

“An African greenback is sort of a European greenback. The pursuits are the identical. The worldwide economic system calls for that we work together with any alternatives on the worldwide degree and enhance our overseas foreign money earnings,” he mentioned, including that Iran would do enterprise with African international locations. Exchanges may also be made in conditions the place the banking system is weak or restrictions exist.

In March, Raisi hosted a gathering with a gaggle of West African representatives, wherein he offered Iran as a special form of companion in comparison with Western international locations with colonial histories on the continent.

He mentioned that the enlargement of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Africa shouldn’t be for the wealth of this area however for the event and welfare of all nations.

The journey comes a month after the president launched into a tour of Latin America. Where he signed many contracts To boost relations with fellow US-sanctioned allies of Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.

Tehran has been making an attempt to diversify its relations since america unilaterally terminated the nuclear take care of Iran in 2018.