Iran-Africa trade meeting begins

[pampango]

Source: Al Jazeera

The two-day Iran-Africa summit is aimed at exploring ways of expanding political and economic ties between Iran and African states. Representatives from governments and private sectors of over 40 African nations including the presidents of Senegal and Malawi are attending the conference. Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika said he envisioned a speedy development of relations between Iran and Africa over the next five years, “We will soon witness the installation of many Iranian industries in Africa.”

Out of all the African countries, it is with Sudan that Iran has the strongest ties. The two countries share a stand against ‘western imperialism’ and Sudan openly supports Iran’s nuclear ambitions. As Sudan saw a downward shift in military assistance from China and Russia, it turned to Iran and signed a bilateral agreement in 2008 that includes military cooperation with its ally. According to Iran’s Press TV, in a bid to further economic cooperation, Iran’s second-largest auto manufacturer, Saipa, has signed a contract to open a factory in Sudan. It will produce about 35,000 cars over the next five years. Nematollah Poustindouz, Saipa’s Chief Executive Officer has said that the company plans to expand into the nine countries that border Sudan.

In a bid to gain more relevance in global affairs and trying to overcome its defacto isolation from the western world over its nuclear programme, Iran continues to focus on its relations with not just Africa but also China. "Iran-China relationship is based on China’s increasing need for Iran’s oil and gas resources, and on Iran’s need for China’s technological support. Over the past thirty-five years, the volume of trade between Iran and China has grown about 3000%, from $5.9 million in 1971 to more than $17 billion in 2009." Western governments have pressed China to cut its energy and economic ties with Iran, which they see as protecting Iran from international pressure. But China has condemned unilateral U.S. and E.U. sanctions aimed at Iran's energy sector.

As part of South Korea’s government sanctions over Iran's suspected nuclear weapons programme, the country’s car manufacturers, Kia Motors, has suspended exports to the Iran. According to Kia, its small hatchback, Pride, accounts for 30 - 40 percent of all vehicles on Iran's roads. The firm exported 4,210 complete vehicles to Iran and 17,040 cars in kit form for local assembly, last year.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/09/2010914124056693272.html

[Prometheus Bound]

1. The Kia representative must have been drunk.

Iran produces about 1.5 million cars a year and Kia, shipping 21,000 units per year to Iran, says it has 30-40% of all vehicles on the road?

Suuuuuuuuuuure!