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South Africa's Sasol says no return to Iran, yet (exclusive)

Business Materials 3 September 2015 12:57 (UTC +04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 3

By Umid Niayesh - Trend:

South Africa's energy giant Sasol has not yet taken any steps to re-enter Iran 's market in the post-sanctions period, the company told Trend Sept. 3.

The company regularly reviews potential global investment opportunities that could fit well strategically, the company said, adding however, at this stage, Sasol is not pursuing any prospects in Iran.

Sasol divested of its interest in Arya Sasol Polymer Company in 2013 and henceforth has no invested or operating interest in Iran, the company underlined.

Earlier some media reports claimed that Sasol has indicated to Iranian officials its interest to re-enter the country's petrochemicals industry, however Fleetwood Grobler, Executive Vice President of the company rejected the claims.

"While Sasol believes that the process to bring Iran back into the fold of international business would be conducive to enhancing global trade in the region, we have not engaged with, nor indicated interest to, any Iranian official to re-invest in the country," Grobler said.

The Islamic Republic and the P5+1 (US, Russia, China, France, UK, and Germany) achieved a final accord last month, curbing Iran 's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of most international sanctions. Following the deal Iran 's former trade partners have started dispatching delegations to Tehran to study cooperation in post-sanctions period.

During last week's visit of Thembisile Majola, the South Africa 's deputy energy minister to Tehran it was announced that Pretoria will transfer GTL (gas to liquid) technology to Iran and will construct two GTL units for Tehran.

Sasol was previously involved in discussions with Iran over the development of the country's first GTL project. The project envisaged the development of Iran 's South Pars Phase 14 with the view of turning the output into liquid gas.

However, Sasol eventually abandoned the scheme in 2006 as technicalities and outside pressures against it over its planned Iran investments mounted.

Edited by CN

Follow the author on Twitter: @UmidNiayesh

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