TEHRAN — The export value of Bandar Imam Petrochemical Complex hit $1.14 billion in the first eleven months of the current Iranian year (started March 21, 2005). This has grown by 6.6 percent compared with the corresponding period last year.

In this period, different liquid, gas, and solid products have been exported.

Also in the same period, Tabriz Petrochemical Complex exported 69,000 tons of petrochemical products valued at $67 million.

The complex’s export has increased by 50 percent and 120 percent in weight and value respectively compared with the corresponding period last year.

In the same period, the company has also exported 11,500 tons of polymer products wroth over $12 million, which indicates growth by 175 percent in weight and 300 percent in value compared with corresponding period last year.

Qazvin exports 157,000 tons of cargos

QAZVIN — Some 157,000 tons cargos valued at $176 million has been exported via Qazvin Customs Office in the first eleven months of the current Iranian year (started March 21, 2005), Gholam-Hossein Nuhi, director of the office said on Saturday.

The office’s exports have increased by 40 percent in weight and 120 percent in value compared with the corresponding period last year, he added.

He named detergents, glass, galvanized sheets, moquette, fruits, and chemical products as some of the exported goods.

Nuhi noted that the commodities have been mostly exported to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the European countries.

Qom exports up 130%

Qom — Over 52,000 tons commodities valued at Rls.653 billion have been exported via Qom Customs Office since the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2005), Afshin Amini, director of the office said on Saturday.

This indicates a 38 percent and 130 percent growth in weight and value respectively compared with the previous year, he added.

Industrial oil, carpets, books, detergents, and ceramics are among the exported goods, Amini stated, adding, the European countries and the Persian Gulf littoral states are the major export targets of Qom Province.

Noshahr port’s stevedoring capacity to hit 3m tons by 2013

NOSHAHR, Mazandaran Prov. – The stevedoring capacity of this northern port will attain 3 million tons upon completion of renovation operations and development plans.

The project includes renovation of five checkpoints at the southern and western docks of the port, as well as the construction of a control tower. The operation is being done as the port completes more than sixty years of service. The port’s stevedoring capacity is estimated to exceed 800,000 tons as the renovation process ends.

Polypropylene unit of Marun plant comes into line

AHVAZ, Khuzestan Prov. – The catalyst paste was injected into the polypropylene unit of the Marun Petrochemical Plant as the final part of a pilot project before the new unit comes on stream.

As part of the process in the polypropylene unit, water is separated from propylene. Meanwhile, each year at the olefin 7 project, some 1.1 million tons of ethylene, as well as some 1 million tons of other final petrochemical products (ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide, and propane) will be produced.

Tourism to flourish in Ardebil during 4th Development Plan

ARDEBIL – During the Fourth Development Plan (2005-10), four major tourism industry development plans will be implemented in this northwestern Iranian province.

The project includes the construction of a recreational spa resort, two health resorts and a sports & tourism complex. Meanwhile, a tourism village will be built in the town of Mir.

Majlis bans import of meat by government

TEHRAN – The government is banned from importing meat during the next Iranian calendar year (starts March 21), ISNA reported.

As part of their review of the proposed national budget bill, the MPs urged the government to supply the domestic meat producers with sufficient financial support in line with efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in meat and fish flour. However, the Agricultural Jihad Ministry can grant a license to the non-governmental sector in case there is any need for imports.

Energy Ministry capable of making turbines for nuclear plants

TEHRAN – The Iranian Minister of Energy has told ISNA that his ministry is capable of making turbines for nuclear power plants.

“This might happen anytime after the government orders the energy ministry to build a nuclear power plants,” Parviz Fattah stated, adding that unlike the prevailing view, the organ in charge of building such a plant is the energy ministry not the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). On building of other types of power plants in the country, the official said they prefer to have the private sector building power plants.

FAO to help Iran compile blueprint for forest conservation

TEHRAN – The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is to help Iran’s Forest and Range Organization formulate a 20-year comprehensive plan for conservation of the country’s forest lands.

The High Council of Forest & Range will have the financial backing for the project. In addition, FAO will continue to observe the situation of forests in Iran as part of assessment operations that happen once in every five years.