Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi received a red-carpet welcome from Kenyan counterpart William Ruto on Wednesday as he began a three-country tour of Africa that Tehran has touted as a “new beginning” in relations with the continent.
Iranian and Kenyan ministers announced the signature of five memorandums of understanding related to information technology, fisheries, livestock products and investment promotion.
The Iranian President arrived in Kenya a day later than scheduled, but no reason for the delay was given.
Africa is a “continent of opportunities” and a “great platform for Iranian products”, he told journalists in a briefing in Nairobi, hinting at close trade ties.
“None of us is satisfied with the current volume of trade,” he said.
President Raisi has turned to Latin America and Africa in the hope of shoring up foreign alliances amid crippling US sanctions which were reimposed in 2018 after Washington withdrew from a negotiated nuclear deal.
Tehran is also under scrutiny from Western countries for issues such as its weapon supplies to Russia, the stalled nuclear talks and its crackdown on anti-regime protesters last autumn.
President Raisi described his trip to Kenya as a “turning point” in relations, while Mr Ruto said Tehran is a “critical strategic partner” for his nation.
Iran plans to set up a manufacturing plant for Iranian vehicles in Kenya's port city of Mombasa, the Kenyan president said.
Mr Raisi embarked on a tour of Latin America last month, which included Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba, in attempts to bolster political and economic ties with countries also under US sanctions.
Foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said the trip, the first of an Iranian leader to Africa in more than a decade, will see trade with the continent rise to $2 billion this year.
President Raisi will leave Kenya for Uganda, before travelling to Zimbabwe, which is also under US sanctions.
Iran has made several major rapprochements this year, most significantly with Saudi Arabia, rekindling ties with Riyadh in March after a seven-year rift.
It has looked at closer ties with Algeria, with Mr Raisi meeting Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in Tehran at the weekend, as well as Egypt and Morocco.
The biog
Name: Sarah Al Senaani
Age: 35
Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2
Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism
Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding
Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier
Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
Background: Chemical Weapons
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RESULT
Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
Man City: D Silva (12'), Sterling (16'), De Bruyne (54' ), B Silva (64' minutes), Jesus (88')
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
Bharatanatyam
A ancient classical dance from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Intricate footwork and expressions are used to denote spiritual stories and ideas.
