South African envoy urges strengthening of private sector for business in Iran

William Max Philman Whitehead, South Africa’s Ambassador to Iran, said on Tuesday that Iranian and South African private sectors should be empowered, AVA Diplomatic reports.Speaking to members of Khorassan Razavi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in Mashhad, Whitehead said private sector has high potential in implementing projects, taking new measures and expanding ties.

Calling for more exchange of commercial and trade delegations, the diplomat said to expand bilateral ties, the Iran-South Africa Joint Economic Commission will meet in late 2014.

The diplomat referred to the June visit of a high-ranking South African delegation to Iran and said exchange of delegations should be further increased.

He went on to say that a law is in effect in South Africa this year which supports foreign investment and on the basis of which the government extends 100 percent support for investors and no organ is entitled to impede their investment.

Today, many commodities imported by Iran are from Europe and Asia, while considerable portion of them are produced in South Africa at much lower prices, so Iran can import them from South African with better quality and at more logical prices.