Baku, Azerbaijan, June 15
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
South Africa's foreign minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane arrived in Tehran on June 15 to discuss bilateral ties with Iranian officials, including foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Mashabane heads an economic delegation from the South African private sector which includes representatives of the country's industrial, agricultural, mining, and food sectors, Fars news agency reported.
A joint press conference is scheduled for June 15, following Zarif and Mashabane meeting.
South Africa was the 45th biggest trading partner of Iran in the past Iranian fiscal year, which ended on March 20, 2014, according to the Iranian Customs Administration.
The annual trade between Iran and South Africa amounted to $52.4 million. South Africa exported $13.4 million worth of goods to Iran and imported $39 million worth of goods from the country during the 12-month period (March 2013-March 2014).
Iran's ambassador to South Africa, Mohammad Faraji announced on June 14 that Iran and South Africa have potential to bring their bilateral trade to annual $2 billion.