TABRIZ -- Iranian Ambassador to Tanzania Ahmad Kan'ani here Sunday underlined the need for Iranian businessmen to have active presence in African countries, IRNA reported.

Addressing a meeting of the provincial center for promotion of non-oil exports, he said, Africa enjoys numerous potentials for Iranian businessmen's activities.

The Iranian ambassador added that the presence of Indian and Lebanese Shia Muslims at the top of the African continent's economic institutes provide a suitable ground for the active presence of Iranian businessmen in the region.

He went on to say that the African continent consisting of 54 countries with a total population of one billion people has special reserves which have encouraged developed countries like America and Japan to invest in the continent.

The official said that Iranian-made goods enjoy better quality and are cheaper than those now being offered in the African countries, he said.

He said Iran's embassy is ready to cooperate with and offer facilities to Iranian businessmen.

Also addressing the meeting, the head of the East Azarbaijan trade department said, the province enjoys an outstanding position in terms of non-oil exports.

He said that one of goals pursued by the center for promotion of non-oil exports is to identify markets throughout the world for commodities made in the province.

Last year, non-oil goods worth $700 million were exported from East Azarbaijan Province abroad. This made the province stand on the top of other provinces in terms of exports.