Iranian companies'investment in Zanzibar

"We welcome investment of Iranian companies in all fields in Zanzibar," Shein said in a meeting with Iranian Ambassador Mohsen Movahhedi Qomi in Dar es Salaam. He also referred to Iran's good experience, knowledge and facilities in fishing, and asked for relevant investments by Iranian firms and companies in his country. The Iranian diplomat, for his part, underscored the age-old friendship between Iran and Zanzibar, and said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to expand tourism interactions with Zanzibar through mutual cooperation. Since ascending to power in 2005, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has striven hard to maximize Iran's relations with the African continent. In February 2009 and after a three-nation tour of Africa which took Ahmadinejad to Djibouti, Kenya and Comoros, the Iranian president termed expansion of Tehran's relations with African countries a "priority for Iran's foreign policy". Iran is an observing member of the African Union and has shown an active presence in previous AU summit meetings.