Iran, Sierra Leone To Expand Economic, Cultural, Parliamentary Ties

Tehran, Sept 4, IRNA – Head of Iran-Sierra Leone Parliamentary Friendship Group Hojjatoleslam Hassan Sobhaninia said on Tuesday that many opportunities are available for expansion of economic, cultural and parliamentary relations between Iran and Sierra Leone, whose ties are already “cordial and growing”. Speaking to Ibrahim Bundu, Head of Iran-Sierra Leone Parliamentary Friendship Group and his accompanying delegation, Sobhaninia said Iranian foreign policy gives the priority to expansion of cooperation with Africa. “The economic and commercial relations between the two countries are not in proportion to many capacities available,” he said. He noted that different economic and industrial grounds should be identified and ways of strengthening links between Iranian and Sierra Leone private sectors should be stregthened. He referred to the important role of Iranian and Sierra Leone parliamentary cooperation in promoting bilateral ties and stressed the need to lift impediments on the way. The MP pointed to Iran’s readiness to help develop Sierra Leone agriculture, health, medicare and infrastructure, saying, “Iran-Sierra Leone parliamentary friendship group supports continuation of such assistance.” The Sierra Leone MP for his part voiced pleasure with visiting Iran and said the Sierra Leone government and nation want expansion of cooperation with Iran in various economic and industrial domains. Bundu said thus far, Iran’s help in the fields of agriculture, health and infrastructures played a key role in removing problems of people in Sierra Leone. He said his country is ready to use Iranian parliaments experience in the fields of legislation, supervision, and research. “Transfer of experience to Sierra Leone parliament by Iranian Majlis can be helpful in raising its efficiency,” he said./end