Zim, Iran scrap Visa requirement for travel betwee...

Zim, Iran scrap Visa requirement for travel between the two countries

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The scrapping of Visa requirements to the citizens of Iran and Zimbabwe travelling between the two countries was one of the major agreements made when Vice President Constantino Chiwenga met his Iranian counterpart, first Vice President Mohammad Mokhber on the sidelines of the 2nd Iran-Africa International Economic Conference recently.

Vice President Chiwenga, who is leading a business delegation at the conference, said that the meeting sought to build a foundation for collaboration in various economic sectors to benefit the two countries involved with sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals and trade.

Speaking to the media, Vice President Chiwenga said the meeting was a follow-up of past events that saw the formation of a joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation where 12 MoUs were signed, with specific areas of the MoUs already yielding results such as the pharmaceutical side.

“We had a long and fruitful meeting with the first Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Mokhber, whom I met last year when I came here. As you are aware, we have a Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation where 12 MoUs were signed.

“These are some of the major issues which we reflected on to see how they can be implemented, some have already started to bear fruits like the pharmaceutical side. Some issues which are in the pipeline like mechanisation of our agriculture, the maximum usage of water. We discussed establishing a permanent secretariat for full implementation of the MoUs.

“We discussed the issue of the visa-free regime which you heard Ambassador Bright Kupemba talking about, it came into effect in February. So, there is now a rapport in terms of business to business, there is no problem of travel between our two countries.

“More importantly, we discussed the Iran-Africa International Economic Conference which is combined with the 6th export potential exhibition. Iran is not looking at Africa as a cost but as an investment,” said Vice President Chiwenga.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana also confirmed the development, noting that the Vice President stressed on the concept of co-operation in education among others.

“On Friday, VP Chiwenga attended the opening ceremony of the 2nd Iran Africa International Economic Conference. On the sidelines of the conference, he met with President Raisi. Key discussions included following up on 12 Memoranda of Understanding, which were signed between the two sisters nations last year.

“Dr Chiwenga said the conversation was largely centred on Zimbabwe’s chief interest in the area of education as this is the bedrock of development in any nation.

“With effect from February this year, any ordinary passport carrying Zimbabwean can travel to Iran without the need for a visa. This means Zimbabweans are free to travel to this country for business or tourism. Iran also offers scholarships for deserving students who wish to study in the country,” Mangwana said.