Iran aids Cote d'Ivoire with development

Iran plans to implement several development projects in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coasts) in line with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's policy of growing ties and aid to the African continent.Addressing a meeting of Iranian traders, businessmen and economic activists in Iran's Northern province of Golestan, Iran's Ambassador to the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire Seyed Reza Noubakhti said that Tehran has started good measures in the West African state. Iran is scheduled to construct bridges and underpass in the Cote d'Ivoire, the envoy announced, adding that the projects need $14mln of funding. Noubakhti further stated that a major project to construct 3,000 housing units is among Iran's other investment projects in the country. The diplomat said that the African country has also called for imports of 600 buses from Iran due to the good quality of the 140 buses that had earlier been sent to Cot d'Ivoire by Iran. He stated that Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) plans to set up a plant in Cote d'Ivoire to manufacture Iran-made diesel buses in the African country. Formerly known as Ivory Coast, Cote d'Ivoire is a country in West Africa. It borders Liberia and Guinea to the West, Mali and Burkina Faso to the North, Ghana to the East, and the Gulf of Guinea to the South. Iran has sought hard to expand ties and cooperation with the African continent, specially since President Ahmadinejad ascended to power in 2005.