*** IRANDAILY
-- Iran produces over 90% of global saffron
According to data by the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines & Agriculture, more than 90 percent of the world’s saffron is produced in Iran, but Spain has become the largest re-exporter of Iranian saffron.
The European country exported saffron worth €51.2 million in 2023, while its imports of the product stood at €41.8 million.
-- Tehran to host Iran Oil Show 2024
The 28th edition of the 28th Iran International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition, also known as Iran Oil Show 2024, having the moto “Oil Industry; Surge in Production, Technological Optimization”, will be held in from May 8-11.
More than 1,500 domestic and 250 foreign companies will take part in the 28th Iran International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition.
-- Iran’s exports to India top $2.2b: TPOI
The export of non-oil products from Iran to India in the previous Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2023 to March 19, 2024) hit $2.217 billion, showing a two-percent growth compared to a year earlier, according to the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI).
Stating that Iran’s balance of trade with India turned positive last year (ended March 19, 2024), the organization noted that Iran’s export of products reached from $2.175 billion in 2022 to $2.217 billion in 2023, showing a 2% growth in value.
** KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL
-- China’s March Exports, Imports Shrink, Miss Forecasts by Big Margins
China’s March exports contracted sharply, while imports also unexpectedly shrank, both undershooting market forecasts by big margins, customs data showed on Friday, highlighting the stiff task facing policymakers as they try to bolster a shaky economic recovery.
Shipments from China slumped 7.5% year-on-year last month, marking the biggest fall since August last year and compared with a 2.3% decline forecast in a Reuters poll of economists. They rose 7.1% in the January-February period.
-- Oil Nudges Up as Investors Eye Mideast Conflict
Oil jumped to the highest price since October as Israel braced for a possible attack from Iran, a development that would threaten major disruptions in a region that accounts for a third of the world’s crude output.
An assault is expected to come as soon as the next 48 hours, which would mark a significant widening of the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Global benchmark Brent surged as much as 2.7% to top $92 a barrel, a level last reached during the early days of the war. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate climbed as much as 3.1% to surpass $87.
-- China ‘Strongly’ Condemns Israeli Strike on Iran’s Consulate
China has condemned the occupying regime of Israel’s attack on Iran’s diplomatic premises in Syria and called on the United States to play “a constructive role” in the West Asia region.
In a phone call with his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken, Foreign Minister Wang Yi “expressed China’s strong condemnation” of a terrorist attack by Israel on Iran’s diplomatic premises in the Syrian capital of Damascus on April 1, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.
** TEHRAN TIMES
-- Israel getting punished with ‘Operation Truthful Promise’
Iran has launched retaliatory attacks against the occupied territories, after the Israeli regime struck the country's embassy in Damascus on April 1, killing 7 high-ranking military officials.
Israeli reports say Iran has already fired three waves of drones at Israeli positions, as well as a number of cruise missiles. Footage captured by citizens in Iraq, suggests Iran's famous Shahed-136 drones are among the UAVs launched at the occupied territories.
The initial announcement regarding the launch of the Iranian attacks came from the Israeli military. Daniel Hagari, the army’s spokesperson, stated that the drones would take some hours to reach their destination while emphasizing Israel's readiness for the situation.
-- Iran eyeing observer status in Eurasian Economic Union
A few months after signing a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Iran’s Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali has announced the Islamic Republic is seeking to gain observer status in the union soon. Jalali made the remarks at a conference on Iran-Russia cooperation dubbed the International Russia-Iran Cooperation in the Changing World Conference, which was held in the presence of a group of Iranian and Russian experts in the Russian capital Moscow on Thursday.
He also expressed hope that a free trade agreement, which Iran and the EAEU signed in late December, will be implemented as soon as possible following approval by parliaments of the member states of the EAEU.
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