Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug.26
By Fatih Karimov - Trend: The foreign affairs minister of the African country, Benin, says his country hopes to resolve its energy deficiency using Iranian expertise.
Nasiro Bakoo said Benin has signed an agreement with Iran Power Plant Projects Management Company (MAPNA) to procure power generation equipment, Iran's IRIB reported on Aug. 26.
Just 5 percent of Benin's electricity needs are generated inside the country and the rest is imported from Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, he added.
On July 1, Iranian Deputy Energy Minister Esmaeil Mahsouli said Iran is currently implementing 70 water and power projects, valued at $3.8 billion, in other countries.
The country has already terminated 224 projects, worth $1.508 billion, outside the country and is negotiating to carry out another 39 projects, valued at $2.3 billion in other countries, the Mehr News Agency quoted Mahsouli as saying.
Iran exported technical-engineering services to 40 countries despite all the barriers caused by Western sanctions imposed against the country over its nuclear program, the official added.