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President Mugabe

Lovemore Mataire Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe is expected to open the Global Small and Medium Enterprises exposition, which begins today in Harare. The expo is expected to promote synergies between Zimbabwean and Iranian companies within the framework of the 8th Zimbabwe-Iran Joint Commission which began yesterday.

Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Joey Bimha yesterday said the expo was being held within the framework of the understanding between Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development led by Minister Sithembiso Nyoni and her counterpart from Iran.

“We welcome and encourage the regular participation by Iranian companies at the editions of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, as part of efforts to promote trade between our two countries. It’s in this same spirit that we appreciate your country’s presence at the International Small and Medium Enterprises Expo currently underway,” said Bimha.

At least 28 companies are participating at the expo aimed at establishing stable and sustainable relations so that the two countries find common ground on various bilateral, economic, social and political issues.

Zimbabwe and Iran have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen co-operation between upcoming businesses and potential investors from the Middle East country.

The decision to forge co-operation comes after delegations from the two countries made successful visits to the respective countries over the last five months.

In October last year, a 14 – member delegation from Zimbabwe led by the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development, Cde Nyoni visited Iran on a fact finding mission.

According to the draft Memorandum of Understanding on handicrafts cooperations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Zimbabwe, the two parties pledged to strengthen and develop their cooperation in the field of handicrafts, based on the principles of Bona fide (Good will) and full equity.

Article 1 of the MoU states that:

“The parties shall endeavour to participate in holding of Handicrafts exhibitions, festivals, handicrafts weeks reciprocally in the international handicrafts Fair in two countries and provide necessary facilities in this regard.”

Relations between Iran and Zimbabwe have grown stronger after the latter adopted the Look East Policy at the turn of the 21st century. Both countries have supported each other at international forums with Zimbabwe opening an embassy in Teheran in 2003.