A delegation from the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum will visit South Africa in Octubre to discuss improving mutual relations, Deputy Oil Minister in Petrochemicals Abbas Sheri Moqaddam said, SHANA news agency reported.

“Iran’s petrochemical industry is on the way of development”, he added, “new investments can inject new blood to this field”.

The talks will seek to boost Iran’s hydrocarbon products export to South Africa, noting that the African country needs products such as LNG, naphtha, liquid gas, and crude oil.

South Africa has indicated its interest to buy oil from Iran, and has also welcomed forming partnerships with Iran in other energy areas such as refining, petrochemical and LNG industries as well as boosting technology exchange with Iran.

Pointing to recent talks between Iran and South Africa, the Deputy Oil Minister said South African officials are able to create rivals for the country’s oil giant Sasol.

Although earlier some media reports claimed that Sasol has indicated to Iranian officials its interest to re-enter the country’s petrochemicals industry, the company told Trend news agency that they had not yet taken any steps to re-enter Iran’s market in the post-sanctions period.