Khartoum seeks to deepen sci-tech ties with Tehran

TEHRAN –The Sudanese acting foreign minister has stressed the need to develop scientific and technological cooperation with Iran.

“I am happy that Islamic countries such as Iran have made rapid advances in the field of technology,” Ali Al-Sadiq Ali said in a meeting with Amir-Hossein Mirabadi, the director of the Center of International Science and Technology Cooperation (CISTC), at Iran’s House of Innovation and Technology (iHiT) in Tehran on Tuesday, February 6,

“Nowadays, countries with low scientific productivity and power are not respected. Therefore, we should expand our knowledge and exchange experiences so that all Muslims can benefit from advancements in science and technology,” the Sudanese official added.

He went on to say that Sudan is a large country with a population of about 50 million. The country has vast areas of agricultural land. However, these resources cannot be utilized without the use of technology. “I hope the two sides would be able to develop cooperation in science and technology in areas of common interest.”

During the meeting, Mirabadi said there are many opportunities for cooperation in the field of science and technology between Iran and Sudan.

“The two countries can collaborate in various fields. Iran is interested in expanding technological cooperation with Sudan.

Some 10,000 knowledge-based companies, a large number of startups, and science and technology parks are active in our country, which provides a good capacity for cooperation with Sudan,” Mirabadi added.

Iranian companies are ready to cooperate with African companies. The two governments also agree on the necessity of technological cooperation, and Iran is well prepared for technology transfer to Sudan, he concluded.

Iran targets East Africa

Mirabadi said earlier that accessing new markets is a newly adopted strategy, that is, deepening trade ties with countries, like Africa, that the country has failed to note before.

Lack of knowledge and sufficient information about a region makes one assume there is no market or that it would be impossible to do business there, he added.

Assessing African countries’ market capacities, it was found that there are potential opportunities for market entry and expanding ties. What matters is earning foreign currency revenue not where it comes from, it can be an advanced European country or an African country.

Iran sent a trade-technology delegation to East Africa from October 15-22, 2023, to expand exports in three countries.

Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania were the three target countries, IRNA reported.

Health (medicines and medical equipment), agriculture and animal husbandry, machinery, food, and industries have been determined as the most suitable fields for export.

In July 2023, Iranian knowledge-based companies concluded contracts for exporting medical equipment and medicine to Africa.

On July 13, President Ebrahim Raisi wrapped up his three-nation tour of Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, becoming the first Iranian president to engage in an African tour in more than a decade.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who accompanied Raisi, spoke about Iran’s perspective on the continent and the potential for collaboration with African nations.

“Iran’s view on Africa is quite different from that of neo-colonialism or its older version,” Amir-Abdollahian told Press TV in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.

“We aim to empower Africa through technology transfer,” he said.

The foreign minister continued his remarks by elaborating on two key points of convergence between Iran and African countries. 

African people and their leaders are now quite sensitive to protecting their independence and this is among the commonalities between Iran and African nations, Amir-Abdollahian underlined. 

“Another issue of equal importance for Iran and Africa is the U.S. sanctions regime. With Africa’s assistance, we should prevent the U.S. and certain states that still have a colonial mindset from utilizing the deadly tool of sanctions against nations,” Iran’s top diplomat pointed out. 

MT/MG