AHVAZ, Khuzestan Prov. — Two gantry cranes were imported to Bandar Imam in order to accelerate stevedoring of goods in the port, the Ports and Shipping Organization of this southwestern province announced on Sunday.

The cranes, each weighing 870 tons, can unload 50 to 60 containers per hour, and may serve the giant third and fourth generations of the post Panamax ships.

Each crane is as high as 30.5 meters and can access containers up to the distance of 45 meters.

The provincial Ports and Shipping Organization has assigned the Chinese ZPMC Company with assembly of the units.

With the use of these cranes, the amount of stevedoring of goods will double from the current 150,000 TEU per annum. ------------------Tehran to host 1st Intl. Scientific Symposium & Trade Fair

TEHRAN — The First International Scientific Symposium and Trade Fair on cooperative commerce will be held in Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds in November, the Public Relations Dept. of the Chamber of Cooperatives reported here on Sunday.

Aimed at the introducing the commercial potentials of Iranian cooperatives to the outside world, the fair will showcase the latest achievements of the cooperative sector in industrial, commercial, production, and service fields.

The symposium is also going to pursue the promotion of cooperatives culture and the expansion of trade exchanges within cooperatives sector in all spheres of economic activities.

The important role of cooperatives sector in the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (2005-2010) and globalization of Iran’s economy are other aims of this symposium. ------------------President signs draft on next year budget

TEHRAN — President Mahmud Ahmadinejad signed the draft on national budget for the next Iranian year (March 21, 2007 — March 20, 2008).

The draft was formulated in accordance with the general policies of the Islamic system, the Twenty-Year Outlook Document, and the Fourth-Five Year Development Plan (2005-2010).

The promotion of productivity, increase in private sector’s participation in implementation of projects, improvement of the standards of living, and bolstering national security are some of issues considered in the outlines.

Interaction with world economy, paving grounds for speedy economic growth, cultural promotion, and the development of judicial affairs are the key elements noted in the outlines. -----------------------Export of leather products at $47m

TEHRAN — Some $47 million worth of shoes and leather products were exported in the first half of the current Iranian year (started March 21, 2006), the Customs Administration announced on Sunday.

The figure indicates 52 percent growth compared with the corresponding period last year.

Shoes and non-leather slippers valued at some $26 million constitute the major part of the exports, showing 68 percent increase compared with the corresponding period last year. --------------------President to inaugurate Tabriz-Zanjan Freeway soon

TABRIZ, East Azarbaijan Prov. — Tabriz-Zanjan Freeway is to be inaugurated in the near future by President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, Mohammad-Reza Ashrafnia, deputy governor-general for development at this northwestern province said on Sunday.

The project is being implemented at the cost of Rls.2,450 billion, he added.

He said that two mobile gasoline stations will be set up along the freeway to take care of emergency fuel need.

Ashrafnia went on to say that East Azarbaijan Province is also making all the efforts to conclude final construction contract on the ongoing Tabriz-Bazargan Freeway by the end of the current Iranian year, falling on March 20, 2007. ------------------- Nouriani Enterprises sole BMW importer in Iran

TEHRAN — Nouriani Enterprises here on Saturday evening held a ceremony aimed at boosting relations with reporters.

At the opening of the ceremony, Ali Nouriani, Nouriani Enterprises general manager gave details about the history and activities of the firm.

Nouriani Enterprises started activities in 1931 in printing equipment and was regarded as the first company working in printing industry in Iran, he said.

In 1975, Nouriani Enterprises diversified and obtained the BMW Motorrad (BMW Motorcycle) Importership. Later on, it began planning on importation of automobiles, and in late 2004, it was allowed to commence importing vehicles to Iran.

Presently, the Nouriani Enterprises is the only importer and representative of BMW in Iran, pursuing earnest plans to promote its ‘performance’, he noted. FK/ML END MNA