Motorcycle Stunt Riding was held on Tuesday in Kish Island.
Shafei: Improving business environment key to economy of resistance
Gholam-Hossein Shafei told IRNA that President Hassan Rouhani government has provided an atmosphere that transcends the issue of removing the international sanctions against Iran, and that the opening of the country’s political atmosphere is an admirable move resulting in a change in the world’s perspective of Iran.
He noted that a new opportunity has been created for the country in all dimensions and that many world countries have welcomed access to the Iranian market.
Iran should have specific and studied development projects to offer to foreign delegations visiting the country and provide better economic and investment facilities for domestic and foreign investors, Shafei noted.
He said that the country should take advantage of the created situation for strengthening domestic production while at the same time care should be taken not to turn Iran into a paradise for foreign products.
He envisaged that the new Iranian calendar year of 1395 (started March 20) is the best opportunity for the country to connect to the world economy and create a competitive atmosphere for international products in the region.
Shafei who is also the President of the Chamber of commerce, industries, mines and agriculture of Khorassan Razavi Province, deplored that the country’s manufacturing sector in recent years, unlike the consumption, did not follow the global production and suffered a technological backwardness.
He stressed that by employing modern technology, the production sector in the country must be modernized. There are many manufacturing facilities and infrastructure in the country, he noted adding that with removal of the existing bottlenecks, Iran can supply products to both domestic and neighboring countries’ markets.
1st Iranian Tanker in Post-Sanctions Setting calls at African Port
Nasrollah Sardashti, director of commerce at National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), said NITC’s first tanker has berthed in Africa and the company is prepared to enter European markets.
He said NITC’s fleet of oil tankers has no technical limitations to enter European seas.
“Since implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions (JCPOA) on January 17 2016, NITC has stepped up insurance services for its cargoes and has no difficulties for entering European waters,” said the official.
Prior to sanctions’ removal, Iranian tankers could berth at ports of only 6 countries, but now the tankers can call at other ports than the previous 6 ones.
Iran Makes Recombinant Factor VIII Drug
The drug, also dubbed AHF, is one of the proteins involved in blood coagulation. It is a protein which helps blood coagulation in consecutive reactions.
Lack of the factor causes Hemophilia A.
While there are over 100 recombinant drugs in the world, Factor VIII is one of the most complicated ones.
Iranian researchers made Coagulation factor 8 through a recombinant method. The researchers used biotechnology and genetic engineering and produced the efficient gene.
The product was processed in a reactor through biotechnology and biotechnology engineering.
The country would save at least $60m if it could mass-produce the drug.
Iran, UN Prioritizing Environmental Co-operation
Addressing the signing ceremony of the third phase of co-operation document of the UN, Japan and Department of Environment on Lake Urmia, he said that the UN has identified five areas of co-operation with Iran in the field, IRNA reported.
Water, soil degradation, promoting energy saving and efficiency, achieving a low-carbon economy, air pollution and biodiversity are the areas of co-operation, he said.
Referring to the conditions of Lake Urmia, he said that the lake is of national and international significance, and is currently facing a terrible situation, a risk to public livelihood and health.
The UN envoy also said that the main reason for the drying up of the lake is damming the waters feeding the lake in order to provide livelihoods.
Overusing the resources has brought about this major problem, he said, noting, “We ourselves have created the problems and should solve it.”
UN has launched a sustainable agriculture project in co-operation with Iran and Japan in Lake Urmia’s catchment basin.
The project is aimed at cutting water consumption and controlling the lake’s pollution, and is currently in its third year and will continue, he said.
Art project spotlights children of war
The project was implemented at Maya Paintball Field in Tehran in mid-March. Portraits of children displaced by wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and many other countries were placed in front of the field’s artificial terrain by two teams of eager players.
The grey portraits were soon spotted by green and orange bullets. One player was deeply affected by the scene and withdrew from the game shortly after.
“It’s war; this is what occurs in the real world in Syria, somewhere a few hundred kilometers distant from us,” Abbasi Farahani told the Tehran Times.
“These are images of only a few of many children who are being killed in the wars in Syria, Yemen, Kurdistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan every day,” he added.
Abbasi Farahani, 37, drew the images based on 100 pictures of children in war zones.
The game has been filmed and Abbasi Farahani plans to screen it at venues in Berlin and Madrid.
He said that the project is a sequel to his previous program, which was organized in 2012. The program focused on the Arab Spring and the unrest that hit the Middle East in 2012.
He made Plexiglas objects having lights inside, which also were destroyed by explosives and gunshots.
Photo: Players take part in graphic designer Majid Abbasi Farahani’s art project on children of war at Tehran’s Maya Paintball Field.
Iran, Germany agriculture ministers to meet Sun.
On his two-day visit to Iran on April 10, German Minister of Food and Agriculture Christian Schmidt will be accompanied by a 20-strong delegation comprising director of Veterinary Organization, Director General of International Affairs, as well as a number of non-government officials.
Expanding relations in the agriculture sector, discussing joint projects for attracting investment and reviewing past cooperation will be key points of discussion during the talks.
Schmidt is likely to hold talks with other Iranian governmental officials, as well.
The two agriculture ministers had previously met in Berlin in January, following the implementation of Iran’s nuclear deal, during which the two sides signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in various spheres of agriculture, including research, education and agribusiness.
Meanwhile, the 2016 conference of NUMOV, the German Near and Middle East Association, with a focus on Iran, will be held in Berlin on April 5. The conference is said to provide Germany with an opportunity to meet with Iran’s economic representatives and its private sector and obtain first-hand information about trade and cooperation between the two countries.
Cultural, Scientific Ties Best Kind of Relationships: Afghan Official
In a meeting with Kerman Province university chancellors, Mohammad Mohaqiq noted that after four decades of war in Afghanistan, his country has lost its scientific and cultural infrastructure and that the Islamic Republic would be able to effectively help deal with such problems.
He said that the Afghan students who have studied in Iran have already become engaged in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Some of them are even in the Afghan cabinet, and he considers such developments as a good omen.
Also addressing the meeting, the President of Shahid Bahonar Unviersity of Kerman, Dr. Mohammad Ali Taher, said that his university is the largest in the southeast of Iran and that it enjoys facilities that can be extended to the universities of the neighbouring and friendly country of Afghanistan.
Mohaqiq arrived here Tuesday to take part in the 2nd joint Iran-Afghanistan Festival, opened today. The festival will last until Friday, April 20.
While in Kerman, the Afghan official will also tour the historical sites of the province.
A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 6
Abrar:
- US not to let Iran banks access US financial system
- Zarif meets Lavrov in Baku
- Azerbaijan threatens to target central Karabakh
- Russia says will deliver first S-300 missile system to Iran
- Rouhani honours self-sacrificing teacher
- Iran says ready to help solve Karabakh conflict
Afkar:
- Iran unveils 12 nuclear achievements
- Government spokesman: Some sanctions not related to nuclear deal
- White House reacts to seized Iranian vessel
- Kerry: Iran has met nuclear commitments
Asrar:
- Intelligence Minister criticizes domestic downplaying of JCPOA
- Gen. Jafari: IRGC ready to counter any Saudi misbehaviour
- Gov’t spokesman: It appears admin’s achievements will not be acknowledged
- Rafsanjani calls for fair criticism instead of unscrupulous accusations
- Mogherini: Yemen ceasefire by Sunday
- Iran’s state-run, oil-based economic challenges: Minister
Arman-e Emruz:
- Squandering in recent years regrettable
- 60 divorce files for every 100 marriages
- IRGC Cmdr.: JCPOA never an honourable document
Ebtekar:
- Anti-Rouhani attacks use slogan “4-year government”
A report reviews efforts to insinuate that the Rouhani administration will be the only one-term administration since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
- Political tug-of-war in runoff elections
- Shaky truce in Karabakh
Ettela’at:
- Pensioner purchasing power reduced by 67% under Ahmadinejad
- Aftermath of major global corruption revelations
- Nobakht: 667,000 jobs created last year (ended March 19)
- Tehran, Ankara, Baku agree to counter regional terrorism, separatism, conflicts
- Judiciary receives 15m cases annually
- Iran stiffens penalties for violators of goods and services standards
Etemad:
- Administration considers Isfahan election case
Minou Khaleghi, a parliamentary candidate in Isfahan constituency, was disqualified to run in the election even after she won enough votes to make her way to the assembly.
- Aref: Reformists must win at least 40 seats in runoff parliamentary elections
- JCPOA has and will never be regarded as an honourable document
Emtiaz:
- Cities with 60% divorce rate
- 2m tourists visit attractions in northern Tehran
- Queiroz bids fans farewell for good
- 1,000 cities without theatres [in Iran]
Iran:
- Nuclear deal a national decision: MP
- Mediation in Ramsar for Karabakh Conflict
- Presser unveiled 4 production-boosting plans
Payam Zaman:
- Nobakht: 92% of Iran budget plan realized
Iran maintains 6mt of wheat in stocks
- Iran, Airbus deal finalized in May
- Iran’s focus on pharmaceutical development in line with resistive economy
- VP: Economic progress hinges on hopeful atmosphere
- IRGC Chief: JCPOA minimized version of Iranian nation’s rightful demands
Jamejam:
- Dollar surfing post-sanction waves in Iran
- Who will be top Iranian revolutionary artist?
The paper has selected three top cinematic figures as nominees for being awarded the title of top Islamic Revolution artists in the country during the previous calendar year which ended March 19.
Jomhouri Islami:
- Boeing talks more serious
- Iran signs deal with Renault
- US, Israel and Arab reactionaries close ranks against Palestine
- JCPOA reduced pressure on Islamic Republic
- Saudi Arabia has 3rd biggest military expenditure
- Iran to unveil 12 nuclear achievements
- Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan to form strategic committee
Javan:
- 7,000 production firms inactive in Iran: Government spokesman
- JCPOA neither honourable, nor extendable: IRGC chief
- Anti-Russia proxy war of Turkey in Karabakh
Hemayat:
- Iranian missiles stronger, more destructive: Gen. Jafari
- White House Spokesman: US to confront Iran
- Karabakh conflict ends after 4 days
- 7,000 idle production firms in Iran
- Inspector: 13 glitches in IPC deals
Rah-e Mardom:
- Report: Will housing market move out of recession in 1395?
- Tehran to overhaul southern sectors over 10 years
- Enemies used sanctions target Iran oil exports: Intelligence Minister
Resalat:
- Saleh: Negotiators anxious themselves
- Javad Larijani: Involving western economics is no solution for saving Iran
Iran must be focused on domestic nuclear capabilities
US seeking to destroy Iran’s missile might, alter its foreign policy preferences, and topple the Islamic Republic
- Israel has killed 27,000 Palestinian children
Shargh:
- Nation reluctantly endorsed JCPOA: IRGC chief
- Veteran director opens eyes
- Iran and US in talks over dollar
Shahrvand:
- Chief: IRGC does not welcome confrontation
- World shocked by big revelations
Sahib Ghalam:
- First Iran oil tanker calls at African port
Keyhan:
- Baku and Yerevan agree to ceasefire
- Oil $120/b without JCPOA
- Nuclear sanctions being removed: Nobakht
Vatan Emruz:
- Youngest hacker arrested
- Iran missiles more destructive and precise than ever: IRGC
Abrar Eqtesadi:
- US hints at dollar transactions with Iranian banks
- Iran sets conditions for building refineries in foreign countries
- Boeing officials coming to Tehran to sell planes
Kerry: Iran ‘absolutely’ deserves access to US dollars as part of sanctions relief
Kerry was asked about an effort by the Obama administration on Tuesday to give Iran limited access to the dollar currency.
“One of the questions is why then is the US Treasury, or why is the [Obama] administration sanctioning the idea of helping Iran get access to dollars or to get more investment?”, he was asked by an correspondent.
“We are working very hard to do what is fair,” he said, adding that “They have in terms of the nuclear agreement, absolutely,” proven to deserve that.
Kerry said. “Iran deserves the benefits of the agreement they struck. And President Obama has said it, I’ve said it, [Treasury] Secretary [Jack] Lew has said it.”
Kerry also said the administration has worked “to make sure” banks that are now allowed to do legitimate, transactional business with Iran after the nuclear agreement are doing so.
“It is fair for Iran to get what it deserves because it kept its part of the bargain to date with respect to the nuclear agreement,” Kerry said.
“We’re under an obligation … if we said we would lift the sanction, we’re under an obligation to lift the sanction,” Kerry said.
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the Treasury Department is moving to give Iran limited access to US dollars as part of the post-nuclear deal sanctions relief through offshore dollar clearing houses so American banks would not be involved.
Iran has complained that it has not yet received the full economic benefits it was promised under the nuclear accord struck last year between Iran and six world powers.
