Iran vows to become largest Middle East crude steel producer May 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 |  Latest news Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24  U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan.Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says.Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |
