Slow start for SenIran

The Wall Street Journal today says the joint Senegal-Iran auto venture, SenIran, has fallen far short of it production goals. Last year Dakar decreed the phase out the 25,000-or-so colorful taxi/buses that have been one of Dakar's best known international symbols. They were to be replaced by the shiny new cabs produced by the joint Iranian factory. In today's front-page Journal article, plans to have 2,000 of the SenIran cabs resulted in only 500 on the street... And the $75 millon Theis SenIran factory that opened last year has only produced 20 of the 10,000 cars it had planned to produce this year... Parts, labor and construction delays (the usual) caused the problems according to the Journal's report, which states that sources acknowledge the venture, one of others around the world, has other goals besides profit... The article also mentions that it was Iranians who ran the power lines to Touba recently, including probably those who I met during my Spring, 2008 visit to the Holy City.

Iran and Senegal agree to expanded ties

Iran continues to expand its economic links with Senegal. A memorandum of understanding was reportedly executed today obliging the Islamic Republic of Iran to cooperate with Senegal in producing auto diesel, undertaking mine exploration, producing machinery and constructing power plants.

Iran has made good on its intentions to expand economic and cultural ties with Senegal. Trade ministers inking todays agreement pointed to the construction of the giant auto manufacturer Iran Khodro's assembly plant in Senegal. The agreement appears to build on that venture.

Iran and Senegal launch SENIRAN auto assembly plant in Senegal

Iran Khodro, the biggest automobile producer in the Middle East has inaugurated a new assembly plant in the African country of Senegal.

Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade, asked for Iran Khodro cars, Bardo pick-up and Peugeot Roa besides Samand passenger car to be produced in SENIRAN AUTO and be exported to the West African countries, said IKCO CEO and president, Manouchehr Manteghi.

During the inauguration ceremony of SENIRAN AUTO in Senegal Manteghi emphasized: Considering Iran Khodro’s strategic plans for its global sales, Central Asian, Middle Eastern and North and West African countries are our points of interest. Senegal’s special position in the region, neighboring seven countries with political an economical ties helped us to make up our mind for establishing a site in this country.

Mentioning that this production line is not a uni-functional one, he added: Right now, Samand passenger car under the name of "Mandory" is produced in this site; however Bardo pick-up, Peugeot Roa, and Pars can also be produced by this assembly line if needed.

Referring to IKCO's car making site in Senegal, Manteghi claimed that foreign companies have already announced their willingness for manufacturing their products in this site.

Renewing public transportation in Senegal has been one of the sources of interest for Senegal's government based on which 2000 Samand made their way to this country, he added. According to Manteghi, around $60 million have been invested on Samand assembly site in Senegal with Iran Khodro and Senegalese government and private sector together putting in 60 and 40 percent respectively.

It's noteworthy that Iran Khodro has established one of the biggest after-sale service centers in Senegal.