Trade exchanges via small and medium sized economic enterprises can help Tehran and Pretoria evade unilateral US sanctions, said South Africa's Ambassador to Iran.
According to Reporters, Vika Mazwi Khumalo said in a meeting on Thursday with the Governor General of Yazd Province Mohammad Ali Talebi, "One of the ways to bypass US sanctions is to conduct trade through small and medium economic enterprises which are not within the range of sanctions."
He added that culture and trade provide golden opportunities for promoting communications between the two countries and investment in the industrial province of Yazd.
Referring to the registration of some of historic sites in Yazd as UNESCO World Heritage as well as the existence of huge mines across the province, he said that all these capacities can help promote communications between the two nations.
The South African diplomat highlighted that Iran boasts excellent capacities in various sectors which can be used for promoting trade exchanges between the two countries.
Talebi said that there are common aspects between Yazd and South Africa which should be used for expanding ties.
Establishing sisterhood agreement between Yazd and one of the South African cities can also help strengthen communications between the two countries, he added.
He proposed that agreements should be signed between Iran and South Africa as this can play a crucial role in promoting ties.
On Tuesday, Khumalo said that the unilateral US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the nuclear deal, will not scale down his country's economic, commercial and cultural cooperation with Iran.
Promoting tourism is one of the effective areas for economic growth, Khumalo said in a meeting with Governor General of Iran's central province of Isfahan Abbas Rezaei.
Underlining the need for establishing direct flight between the two countries, he said, "Although there are economic and international limitations in the field, we are seeking to solve the problems."
Last month, Khumalou, in a meeting with Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, said that his country is determined to strengthen relations with Iran.
He stated that his country was aware of Iran's fulfillment of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) commitments and continued to maintain support the deal and its implementation.
"South Africa has always had friendly ties with Iran since the (1979 Islamic) Revolution, and has never forgotten Iran's support for the liberation of its people," he highlighted.
The diplomat noted South Africa seeks to expand cooperation with Iran in the commercial and economic fields, and in this regard, in addition to emphasizing the importance of the implementation of the agreements, also calls for cooperation in other areas in which the two sides have high capabilities and capacity.
In the meeting, Falahatpisheh referred to friendly relations between Iran and South Africa, and said, "After the Islamic Revolution, Iran-South Africa relations have been pursued at a high level, based on mutual respect which must be maintained with the efforts of the authorities of the two countries."
The lawmaker added, "One hundred documents of cooperation between Iran and South Africa have been signed, which is evidence of friendly relations between the two states, but the two countries' agreements should be executed and not remain on paper."
