Ghana-Panama, another one that on the surface seems unlikely. Ghanaian laborers were used in the hundreds and thousands to build the Panama Canal during both the failed French attempt and the successful US one. The strong Afro-Panamanian presence there now is largely (not exclusively) Ghanaian!
Ed Burmila
Algeria-Argentina, nothing, right? In the 80s when Algeria wanted to develop a civilian nuclear power program they wouldn’t be caught dead asking the French for help. The USA and USSR each had their geopolitical price demands, so Algeria turned to Argentina to develop its nuclear industry.
Ed Burmila
Iraq-Norway today, another surprisingly interesting relationship. When North Sea oil was discovered Norway had zero oil experts and hired an Iraqi team to set it all up for them. The much lauded “Norwegian Model” of oil / oil wealth management was 100% Iraqi designed.
Ed Burmila
Iran-New Zealand is honestly an interesting one. There were furious negotiations (daily headline stuff) with the first Ayatollah to protect the economic interests of the NZ mutton export industry. Muslim experts were hired en masse and rapidly made NZ the world’s largest exporter of halal meat.
