KERMANSHAH – Joint trade exhibitions to display Iranian- and Iraqi-made goods will be held in this western Iranian province.

“Earlier this year, we hosted a trade delegation from Iraq discussing with them ways of developing closer economic relations between the two countries, especially between the border provinces,” head of the provincial Trade Organization Asghar Mirzaii told ISNA on Wednesday. A senior trade attaché from the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad and head of Baghdad Chamber of Commerce were also present at the meeting. “We signed an agreement with the Iraqi delegation over holding joint fairs in the Kermanshah Province and also in the Iraqi Kurdish provinces,” Mirzaii added.

Bilehsavar exports over 21,000 tons of goods in 3 months

ARDEBIL – Some 21,970 tons of goods, valued at $30 million, was exported from the northwestern Bilehsavar Customs in the first three months of the current Iranian year (March 21-July 21).

This showed 58% increase compared to the corresponding period last year. Textile products, shoes, foodstuffs, building materials, and plasticware were the main commodities exported through Bilehsavar mainly to Europe and Central Asia. The customs office also registered import of 4,628 tons of goods for $764,752. The township of Bilehsavar is located 155 kilometers north of Ardebil on the border between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Two-million-ton steel mill in Shadegan to create 10,000 jobs

AHVAZ, Khuzestan Prov. – Some 10,000 jobs will be created in Khuzestan Province upon completion of a two-million-ton steel mill in Shadegan.

However, the project is still in the phase of site selection after the government of the former president Khatami pledged to fund the project. The provincial Organization of Industries and Mines has officially registered the construction license for the project, which is expected to boost the local economy.

Venezuelan, Bolivian diplomats visit South Pars

ASSALUYEH, Bushehr Prov. – A group of Venezuelan and Bolivian diplomats visited the South Pars on Tuesday, IRNA reported.

The Latin American diplomats toured the under-construction phases of the world’s largest gas field and the petrochemical plants in Assaluyeh. A Venezuelan member of the delegation told IRNA his country hopes to gain more in the global energy market through cooperating with Iran in the oil and gas projects. “We want to see how useful to us will be Iran’s experience in implementing oil, gas, and petrochemical projects,” he added.

Astara’s spring export up 23%

RASHT, Gilan Prov. – The northern port city of Astara exported some 11,153 tons of goods at $52.6 million in the first three months of the current Iranian year (started March 21).

This showed 23% increase compared to the same period last year. Agricultural products, building materials, and minerals accounted for the lion’s share of exports through Astara. The Astara Customs also imported 49,825 tons of goods, valued at $19.7 million, in the said period, corroborating 8% decrease. The volume mainly consisted of ironware, woodwork, industrial machinery, and chemicals imported from Russia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Located north of Gilan Province, Astara is the main trade route between Iran and those former soviet republics west of the Caspian Sea.

Kish festival to display pearls of world

KISH ISLAND, Hormozgan Prov. – Gems will decorate this year’s Summer Festival in this beautiful Iranian island on the sunny coasts of the Persian Gulf.

An exhibition, to kick off on Friday July 7, will be held to introduce various types of pearls and different species of oysters and corals to the tourists and locals. Pearls, oysters, and coral reefs collected from many seas around the world will be put on display along with Kish’s own pearls and mother-of-pearl in an area of 1,000 square meters.