Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa begins Working Visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Saturday 7 November 2015

Tehran - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Saturday 07 November 2015, arrived in Tehran, capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, ahead of bilateral political and trade talks with his Iranian counterpart, His Excellency First Vice-President, Es’hag Jahangiri.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is leading a delegation that includes the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane; Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Nomaindiya Mfeketo; Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Godfrey Oliphant; Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Mcebisi Hubert Jonas; Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Bheki Cele, and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Tokozile Xasa.

Among delegates to the Iran visit are representatives of state-owned companies and agencies including Eskom, Mintek, the Council of Geo-science, the Financial intelligence Centre, the South African Revenue Service, and a sizeable business delegation.

The visit to Iran is aimed at consolidating political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries in trade and investment, energy, agriculture, education and skills development.

Deputy President Ramaphosa and his counterpart will inaugurate and co-chair the South Africa-Iran Business Council, intended to further reinforce the existing trade and investment opportunities in finance, agriculture and energy.

During his visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa will pay a courtesy call on Iranian President Dr. Hassan Rouhani and the Speaker of Parliament Dr. Ali larinjani as part of consolidating regional co-operation on reform of global political and economic governance, including transformation of the United Nations Security Council. 

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also meet with the Iranian Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr Tayyebnia, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines, Mr Nematzadeh.

At the conclusion of his visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa and delegation will visit and tour the MAPNA Factory, an Iranian enterprise which operates in the area of construction and development of thermal power plants, independent power plants, oil and gas as well as rail traction projects.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will return to South Africa on 11 November 2015.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria