Iran Seeking to Lease Land in East Africa for Food Production: Envoy
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian ambassador to Kenya said the country plans to lease land in East Africa for large-scale food production.
Hadi Farajvand said over 10 Iranian firms have expressed willingness for agricultural investment in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in a bid to grow and process rice, corn and wheat, Geeska Africa reported on Saturday.
“Iranian companies want to lease land and establish processing plants in partnership with Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania for the production of wheat, rice and corn,” said Farajvand.
The Iranian ambassador underscored the need for the further expansion of ties between Iran and East African countries, adding that the only challenge ahead is lack of “political will”.
On pharmaceutical products, Farajvand said Iranian companies could partner with the region’s companies to boost local production.
In 2014, Kenya exported 8.3 tons of tea to Iran at a value of $20 million, according to the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA).
Last year in February, Tanzania and Iran signed an MoU to cooperate in the areas of education, health, agriculture, energy and manufacturing. Tanzania imports machinery and oil products from Iran.