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 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |