'Take Advantage of Good Zimbabwe, Iran Relations'
Source: The Herald (Harare)
Date: 1 December , 2005
Author: Peter Matambanadzo
The Iranian Embassy in Harare has challenged stakeholders in the tourism sector to take advantage of the cordial relations between Zimbabwe and the Asian country by coming up with strategies to revive the fortunes of the tourism industry.
In an interview yesterday, head of the cultural section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Amir Ahmadi, said his country was keen to promote tourism and cultural exchanges between Zimbabwe and Iran.
Zimbabwe and Iran share a common history of fighting for their freedom.
"We are trying to promote tourism in both Zimbabwe and Iran. We encourage Zimbabweans to visit Iran and at the same time encourage Iranians to come to Zimbabwe," he said.
Dr Ahmadi said nationals from the two countries should take full advantage of the Harare-Entebbe-Dubai-Teheran air link.
"We are at the beginning and if people use these opportunities we will have a brighter future through cultural exchanges and tourism," he said. Iran, he said, was the cradle of human civilisation and Zimbabwe could reap immense benefits from it.
The Asian country was endowed with a cultural life of wide variety and boasted some of the world's major tourists attractions such as historical monuments that included castles, churches and mosques.
In contrast, Zimbabwe was facing several challenges but, however, the Southern African country had remained a prime tourist destination despite the hurdles it was facing.
The Zimbabwe-Iran Joint Commission, he noted, had become the main vehicle of co-operation between the two countries.
Iran has invested in the Modzone Textile Factory, provided a 15 million euro line of credit for 428 tractors, 23 combine harvesters and state-of-the-art equipment for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings as well as medical equipment to the Red Cross Society.
It has also offered Zimbabwe another 20 million euro credit facility to the agriculture and communications sectors.
Furthermore, the Iran Tractor Manufacturing Company and the Industrial Development Corporation have established a joint venture to make tractors in Zimbabwe.
Other projects to be implemented and being implemented by the countries include the Harare-Chitungwiza railway line, Kariba South 7 and 8 Power Station, the Harare-Entebbe-Dubai-Teheran air link and the manufacture of antiretroviral drugs.