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‘Financial constraints hampering Iran, Zim co-operation’

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FINANCIAL constraints have hampered the implementation of several bilateral projects between Zimbabwe and Iran, Foreign Affairs secretary Joey Bimha has conceded.

FINANCIAL constraints have hampered the implementation of several bilateral projects between Zimbabwe and Iran, Foreign Affairs secretary Joey Bimha has conceded.

BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA

Bimha was speaking at the official opening of the eighth session of the Zimbabwe-Iran Joint Permanent Commission in Harare yesterday.

He said although Iran had consistently reached out through participation at events like the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and the International Small and Medium Enterprises Expo currently underway, it was regrettable that Zimbabwe had not been able to reciprocate the effort due to financial constraints.

Bimha said Zimbabwe collaborated with Iran in the field of science and technology.

“To further this co-operation, we must implement the existing Agreement on Science Co-operation between the Academy of Sciences of Iran and the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Zimbabwe,” he said.

“Despite the progress in the aforesaid areas, co-operation in other areas has been below expectations. We consider our joint investment in Modzone Enterprises as the prototype of our quest to enhance economic cooperation between our two countries.

“The challenges that Modzone Enterprises has been facing are well known to all of us. We need confidence and decisiveness on the future of this important venture.”

Bimha was hopeful that an agreement would be reached soon on how to inject new dynamism into another joint project between the Industrial Development Corporation and Iran for the production of tractors.

He said the implementation scorecard since 2012 had not been looking good as there was little progress in concluding agreements and Memoranda of Understanding.

Bimha proposed that the two countries identify projects that were feasible, achievable and of immediate mutual benefit.

“Let’s take this opportunity to agree on fewer matters upon which we can concentrate our energies towards effective implementation. This should help us yield concrete and meaningful results, which is the purpose and objective of our joint commission,” he said.

Iranian Co-operatives, Labour and Social Welfare deputy minister Mohammad Taghi Hosseini also attended the joint commission session.