THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

761. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(1) Whether his department issued any letters of support to companies (a) to do business or (b) doing business with Iran in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011 and (iv) 2012; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, (aa) on what date was the letters issued and (bb) what (aaa) is the name of the person who (aaaa) issued and (bbbb) received these letters, (bbb) was the name of the company involved, (ccc) goods or services did the company provide and (ddd) are the further relevant details;

(2) whether his department conducted any investigations before issuing the letters of support; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;

(3) whether other departments were consulted before issuing the letters of support; if not, why not; if so, (a) which departments were consulted and (b) what are the further relevant details;

(4) whether his department is conducting an investigation into any of these letters of support; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW929E

Reply:

Question 1

a) The Department issued no letters of support for doing business in Iran in (I) 2009, (ii) 2010. In (iii) 2011 a letter was issued and (iv) 2012 no letters were issued with regards to Iran. (v) In 2008 the Department issued two letters of support to 360 Aviation signed by the then Deputy Director General Mr I Sharma on 5 February 2008 and 3 September 2008 respectively.

Year 2011

(aa) The letter of support was issued on 12 April 2011

(bb)

(aaa) Mr A J le Roux, then Acting Deputy Director General

(aaaa) Trade and Investment South Africa

(bbbb) Mr B Oberholzer, CEO 360 Aviation

(bbb) 360 Aviation

(ccc) Services offered by the company included aviation project management and services:

• Delivery of Bell 212 HP Helicopters
• Setup of companies importing/exporting aircrafts
• Supply of helicopter spare parts to Persian Aviation Gulf Services
• Setup of a local company for large Iranian Oil Firm
• Supply of consultant services to Iran Air
• Various investment programs for Iran Investment Company (IIC)
• Advising Mahan Airlines on proper procurement to re-fleet their airline
• Advising and brokering fleet procurement for Aseman Airlines
• Providing the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) of support services of spare parts and aviation services to maximize oil extraction in the Persian Gulf.

(ddd) The request for support was for a forthcoming visit to Iran scheduled for May 2011

Year 2008

(aa) The letter of support was issued on 5 February 2008

(aaaa) Mr Iqbal Sharma, then Deputy Director General of Trade and Investment South Africa

(bbbb) Mr A Mansourian, Iran Air

(bbb) 360 Aviation

(ccc) The letter was addressed to Iran Air, preceding their visit to South Africa in 2008, to support a venture between Iran Air and 360 Aviation.

Year 2008

(aa) The letter of support was issued on 5 February 2008

(aaaa) Mr Iqbal Sharma, then Deputy Director General, Trade and Investment SA

(bbbb) Mr B Oberholzer, CEO of 360 Aviation

(bbb) 360 Aviation

(ccc) Services offered by the company included aviation project management and services

Question 2

A review of 360 Aviation's previous contacts with the dti and interactions they had with entities in Iran was done and the two letters issued in 2008 were retrieved. The company was also requested, and duly complied when requested to produce a signed letter regarding their past interactions with Iran and their future objectives in Iran.

Question 3

No other Departments were consulted and the dti issued the letter of support unilaterally.

Question 4

The Department is conducting an investigation into the supply of letters of support.

Issued by Parliament, March 27 2012

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