Iran vows to become largest Middle East crude steel producerMay 19, 2012 - 15:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mehdi Ghazanfari says the country will become the largest producer of crude steel in the Middle East and north of the Persian Gulf, citing the planned investment in the sector. With Iran's annual steel output stands at 14 million tons, Ghazanfari announced the country’s plan to add about 20 million tons to the concentrate and pellet production capacity of the Iranian eastern province of Khorasan Razavi, which will emerge as one of the country’s steel production hubs. Concentrates and pellets are raw materials used in steel manufacturing. Ghazanfari further said that for the time being, Iran is ranked as the second largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). The minister also said Iran is among the world’s 10 leading mineral-rich countries. Iran exports its industrial and mineral products to 159 countries, including Iraq, China, the United Arab Emirates, India and Afghanistan. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. Mkhitaryan raises arrest of former Karabakh leaders in Azerbaijan Inter Milan star Henrikh Mkhitaryan has shared a news story about the extension of the arrest of former Karabakh leaders. |