Through a shared innovation centre that will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, Iran is seeking to improve trade relations with Kenya.
The Iran House of Innovation and Technology (IHIT), to be launched in Kilimani, Nairobi, will provide Kenyan and Iranian companies with workspaces and Internet connectivity.
“This center is the first of its kind in Africa and the largest in the world to be set up by Iran to transfer technology acquired over the years,” said Jafar Barmaki, the Iranian ambassador to Kenya.
Next week, a group of 40 Iranian petrochemical, renewable energy, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and nanotechnology knowledge-based companies is scheduled to visit the IHIT centre.
The delegation, headed by Iranian Science and Technology Vice-President Sorena Sattari, will meet with the business community in Kenya for a business forum aimed at improving trade ties between the two countries.
With a view to securing partnerships and joint ventures, the Business-to-Business (B2B) meeting will enable Kenyan companies to connect and network with Iranian companies.
Iran is one of Kenya’s primary markets and pays a premium for local tea, which has resulted in many trade missions being carried out by the country to boost the economy.