TEHRAN-During a meeting between Iranian Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Ali Tayyebnia and his South African counterpart Pravin Gordhan in Tehran on Saturday, the two ministers underscored accelerating reconnection of banking links between the two countries.

As the IRNA news agency quoted Tayyebnia, Iran and South Africa are determined to improve bilateral relations, thanks to the removal of financial sanctions against Iran as of January.

“Iran regards South Africa as a gateway to Africa,” he said, adding that easing and cementing baking relations will play a pivotal role in enhancing the volume of trade between the two countries. 

“Iranian banks have taken positive steps towards expanding relations with their South African partners in the hope for Pretoria supporting the move,” he added.

Gordhan, for his part, said Pretoria is strong-minded to deepen trade and economic cooperation with Tehran and underlined that resuming banking ties with Iran will boost common trade between the two countries.

The South African minister, leading a 150-member politico-economic delegation, entered Tehran on Saturday on the invitation of Tayyebnia.

South African President Jacob Zuma, at the head of a high-level delegation, arrived in Tehran on Sunday. During his two-day stay, President Zuma will explore the grounds for converting bilateral and economic relations with Iran into a substantive strategic partnership.

South Africa is among those countries with positive investment experience in Iran in projects such as MTN.

MTN group is one of the shareholders of Irancell, one of the largest mobile phone network operators in Iran.

HJ/MA