Tehran-Harare Plan Boosting Industrial Co-op

Tehran, Sept 29, IRNA - Tehran and Harare plan to boost cooperation to develop small industries and build industrial parks, said Mohammad Ali Abrishami, managing director of Iran Small Industries and Industrial Parks Organization (ISIPO). Abrishami made the statement in a meeting with Zimbabwean Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Sithembiso Nyoni in Tehran on Sunday. Abrishami added that 92 percent of Iranian industries are small. “ISIPO has established over 700 industrial parks and zones. The organization’s efforts are focused on developing small industries and linking small and big industrial units,” he said. The official noted that ISIPO intends to transfer its experiences in development of small industries and construction of industrial parks to Zimbabwe, expressing his hope that both states will pave way to expand cooperation in this regard. “The establishment of 930 industrial parks and zones in Iran has been approved. The organization is handing over lands to investors to implement 730 of the projects,” he said. The ISIPO chief said his organization has prepared the ground for investors’ cooperation in these projects, stressing that ISIPO plans to boost employment. Abrishami noted that like Zimbabwe, Iran is also facing international restrictions but has numerous facilities and resources, which have helped it make great achievements. Nyoni, for her part, said that Zimbabwe has begun the implementation of favorable economic plans and has achieved desirable results over the past ten years. She noted that her country plans to develop small industries and industrial parks, hoping that Iran would share its experiences in this regard with Zimbabwe. Nyoni called on Iran to boost collaboration with her country in making joint investments for the export of agricultural and industrial products. At the end of the meeting, the two sides prepared the preliminary draft of an agreement that will be signed in future./end