TEHRAN – Iran’s agriculture minister Eskandari met here Saturday with his Comorian counterpart Sitti Kassim to discuss bilateral agricultural and fisheries relations.

Pointing to the recent visit by an Iranian delegation to Comoros, Eskandari noted that the two sides had reached agreement over expanding cooperation in agricultural projects. He also announced that the ministry has planned to set up an office in the African state’s capital city, Moroni, to facilitate the official process of expertise exchange between the two countries.

For his part, Mrs. Kassim said Comoros would require Iranian-made fishing vessels and also stressed that the two countries should start a student exchange program to accelerate the process of exchanging scientific experience.

Hormozgan first-half exports hit 8.67m tons

BANDAR ABBAS, Hormozgan Prov. – Some 8.67 million tons of goods, valued at over $2 billion, was exported from this southern Iranian province in the first six months of the current Iranian year (March 21-September 22, 2006).

This showed 10 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The exported volume, which consisted of textile products, seafood, minerals, and agricultural products, was mainly destined for China, Germany, the UAE, and India.

Ministry official denies Megane smuggling report

TEHRAN – An official with the Ministry of Industries and Mines said Saturday they had not received any report containing unofficial importation of Renault Meganes.

“Turkish trade officials know that the export of French cars to Iran will be a profitable business for them,” Soleymani claimed, pointing to the fact that Iran has to import Megane through its northwestern neighbor. Some newspapers have recently published reports and analysis implying that the Megane trade with Renault would hurt national interest.

The Minister of Industries and Mines Alireza Tahmasbi had said last week that Megane import would not be resumed until a proper trade relation is established between Tehran and Ankara.

Tabriz to host seminar on recognizing investment opportunities in AFTZ

TABRIZ, East Azarbaijan Prov. – A three-day seminar will kick off here on Wednesday November 1 to discuss the existing investment opportunities in the northwestern Aras Free Trade Zone (AFTZ).

A number of MPs as well as Iranian and foreign investors will attend the conference which is to be hosted by the Tabriz Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines. Meanwhile, officials from several Iranian universities, including the University of Tabriz, will take part in the event.

The seminar is to focus on drawing a development plan for AFTZ, which is a lucrative market capable of attracting huge investment according to the officials.

One-month exports from Qazvin attain 25,000 tons

QAZVIN – Some 25,000 tons of goods worth $21 million was exported from this northern Iranian province during the seventh month of the current Iranian calendar year (Mehr, September 22-October 22).

This showed 66% increase in terms of weight. Qazvin exported detergents, iron and steel, molybdenum, ceramic tiles, chocolates, and carpets in the said period during which Qazvin Customs also registered import of 10,000 tons of goods for 33 million dollars.

DoE resists transgenic rice growing authorization

TEHRAN – The director of the country’s Department of Environment (DoE) Fatemeh Javadi on Friday announced that an official go-ahead for cultivation of genetically modified rice would not be issued due to lack of compelling documents that could support the move.

Speaking to the reporters, she added that DoE has yet to receive any report from a group of experts in charge of providing sufficient documentation to prove that transgenic rice would be healthy and the project would be economical altogether. However, he admitted that the scientific basis for the move is convincing.

“A sample of the DNA of the main rice pest, called stem borer, is used in the process which makes the plant resistant against the pest during its growth period.”