SA, Iran sign housing pact
Edwin Tshivhidzo
13 October 2004
The South African government and the Islamic Republic of Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-operate on housing development and technology.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday at the conclusion of a four-day visit by an Iranian delegation hosted by Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, covers the exchange of expertise to assist with solving problems of increasing urbanisation and housing architectural practices.
The two countries will explore possibilities for joint research in physical planning at national and regional level, urban design and geographic information systems.
Both governments also committed themselves to building centres and organisations for research to exchange information and expertise in housing development.
They also agreed to promote co-operation between companies in the building and construction sector, particularly in mass construction of housing and construction of low-cost and appropriate
prefabricated housing units.
This could include opportunities for investment, the facilitation of specialised exhibitions or seminars on construction material and services, the exchange of information on tender possibilities, and the development of networking opportunities between the private sectors in both countries.
Iran has similar housing challenges to South Africa, exacerbated by its being prone to environmental hazards such as earthquakes.
The Iranians are interested in how to build physically secure human settlements, and will be meeting the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research on Thursday to discuss technology options that could be useful to them.
To ensure the smooth implementation of the agreement, a joint working group was established that will interact regularly, reporting to both ministers every six months.
The Iranian delegation was led by the minister of housing and urban development, Ali Abdol-Ali-Zadeh, accompanied by the
deputy minister of housing, Ferydon Darvish Zadeh, Iranian Ambassador Mohammadali Ghanezadeh and other senior officials.
Source: BuaNews
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