** Iran Daily
-- Tehran-Baku confrontation enters a new phase
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Friday responded to Azerbaijan’s hostile action, saying “Iran has diplomatic countermeasures on the agenda.” “We consider the behavior of the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan to be in conflict with the principles of good neighborliness,” he added.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman called on the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan to “maintain mutual respect, take steps in the direction of good neighborliness and stay away from what the Zionists and enemies of the region want.”
-- Iran adds 40 planes to passenger fleet in year to March: Official
The managing director of Iran's Airports and Air Navigation Company said that 40 planes were added to the country’s aviation fleet during the past Iranian year (ended March 20).
Hamidreza Seyedi told IRNA in an interview on Saturday that airports, runways and terminals in Iran should be equipped with new facilities in a way that corresponds to the development needs of airlines in the country.
The official noted that both the state and the private sector in Iran have been trying to import airplanes to expand the country’s passenger fleet despite the fact that the Iranian aviation industry has been under sanctions for four decades.
-- Iran expects opportunities from expansion of trade ties with Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has an annual trade worth $300 billion and experts believe Iran’s trade with the country can reach up to $3 billion with the Arab country within the next few years and following a deal to resume their diplomatic ties between the two countries. That could create major economic opportunities for Iran.
Saudi Arabia is a key member of the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council and a major importer of agricultural and food products in the West Asia region mainly because of its arid weather conditions.
** Kayhan International
-- Saudi, Kuwaiti Entrepreneurs Keen on Investing in Iran
Head of the Iran World Trade Center Muhammad Reza Sabzalipour said on Saturday that Saudi and Kuwaiti entrepreneurs have voiced their readiness to invest in the Islamic Republic of Iran after a thaw between Tehran and Riyadh,
Sabzalipour added that the stability of the exchange rate is the major concern of foreign investors in Iran in order to plan their long-term working policies and manage their activities in Iran optimally.
-- WSA: Crude Steel Output Registers 21% Increase in Iran
World Steel Association latest data released has reported that Iranian steel mills have registered a 21.1% rise in crude steel production with an output of 5.1 million tons during the first two months of 2023. Iran’s February output hit 2.4 million tons, registering a 14.6% year-on-year rise.
In terms of the world ranking, Iran maintained its global standing as the world’s ninth-biggest crude steelmaker. Iran registered the biggest growth in crude steel production during the period among the top 10 producers in the world.
-- Iran to Host Futsal Tournament Soon
A futsal tournament is slated to be held in Iran in the coming weeks with four nations in attendance. Four teams namely Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, and the host Iran will take part in the competitions.
The tournament is scheduled to be held from April 27 to May 4 in the capital city of Tehran. Headed by Ali Sanei, the Iranian squad is to meet Afghanistan in a friendly match in Tehran.
** Tehran Times
-- Iranian Quran reciter Yunes Shahmoradi tops at Saudi Arabian competition
Iranian Quran reciter Yunes Shahmoradi has taken first place in the recitation category at the Otr Elkalam International Competition, which is organized in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As the world’s largest Quran recitation and call to prayer (athan) contest, the Otr Elkalam competition is organized by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA).
Shahmoradi was awarded 3 million Saudi riyals ($810,000), the organizers announced on Friday. Abdulaziz Al-Faqih from Saudi won second place and received 2 million Saudi riyals, while the Moroccan reciter Zakaria Al-Zirk took third place with one million Saudi riyals.
-- Renovation, development of railway fleet being pursued seriously
Transportation is one of the factors of progress as well as the economic and social development of countries, which has a great role in increasing relations between countries, so it is one of the most important infrastructure industries in any country.
Today, many commodities produced in different countries, and the high volume of export and import of goods have increased the need to use various types of transportation channels. For this reason, various ways to transfer goods with very high quality have been created to meet the needs of countries.
-- Tourism ministry uncovers scheme for rural revive
Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has uncovered a new scheme based on which a selection of 100 villages will be revived for tourism in two years.
The tourism ministry in close collaboration with the Islamic Revolution Housing Foundation is to implement the scheme to improve required standards, and boost the local economy and quality of life, IRNA reported on Saturday.
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