South Africa Asks for Iran’s Help on Water Shortage
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – South African Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane referred to the water crisis as one of the main problems in her country, saying Pretoria can use Tehran’s experiences to remove the problem.
Mokonyane raised the issue in a Tuesday meeting with Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian here in Tehran.
She also asked for Tehran’s cooperation in developing new industries and health infrastructures, and expressed the hope that Pretoria can promote its ties with Tehran in this regard.
Iran has always supported South Africa, Mokonyane said, adding that her country is keen to expand its bilateral ties with Tehran.
Chitchian, for his part, said the Iranian ministry is ready to encourage domestic companies to work with South Africa in transfer of experiences, project management, and engineering.
“In construction of desalination sites, pumps and pipe supplies, and purification units, we will encourage domestic companies to cooperate with South Africa,” he added.
In recent years, private companies in Iran have worked on desalination projects, many of which have become operational.
The country is located in an arid zone, and some 65% of its territory has an arid or very arid climate, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Iran receives less than a third of the world’s average precipitation, but it has made great achievements in implementing various water supply projects.
Earlier this month, Chitchian announced that a project is under study to desalinate water from the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman and supply drinking water to 47 million people across the country.
