** IRAN DAILY
-- Eight-month trade exceeds $75b: IRICA
The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration announced on Sunday that the country’s foreign trade reached about $75.5 billion during the first eight months of the current Iranian year (March 21-November 21).
Iran imported 25 million tons of non-oil commodities worth about $42.5 billion during the eight months to November 21, said Mohammad Rezvani-Far, adding that the country exported 90 million tons of goods, valued at about $33 billion in the period.
-- Catch-22 of energy pricing in Iran
The way energy carriers are priced could directly affect the livelihood of millions of Iranians, whose country has been subject to sanctions for years, leaving behind a struggling economy and underdeveloped infrastructure.
Since November 2019, fuel prices have remained unchanged, following a sharp 200% hike in gasoline prices that sparked nationwide protests and left more than 200 people dead, according to what the then interior minister said.
But rumors have it that the government might increase fuel prices again as they are heavily subsidized. Currently, Iran distributes some 230 million liters of fuel each day, with gasoline priced at 30,000 rials (6 cents) per liter and diesel at 6,000 rials (1.2 cents) per liter. Hugely underpriced fuels have created a lucrative business for smugglers who systematically ship gasoline and diesel to mainly neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, Armenia, and Afghanistan where such commodities are sold even 15 times more expensive than in Iran.
-- Rasht-Caspian Railway to come on stream by yearend: Official
The construction operation of the Rasht-Caspian Railway is being completed, the chairman of Iran-Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce said, adding that the railway is expected to be operational by the end of the current Iranian year (March 19, 2024).
Hadi Tizhoush-Taban said the Rasht-Astara Railway is another project that can connect the country to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
** KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL
Iranian Documentary Festival Attracts Big Names
Shahid al-Alam, an international photographer, teacher and social activist from Bangladesh, is one of the instructors of the workshops of the 17th Iranian International Documentary Film Festival “Cinema Verite”.
According to the Center for the Development of Documentary, Experimental and Animated Cinema, al-Alam will hold a photography workshop in documentary cinema at the 17th “Cinema Verite” festival.
-- Envoy: Qatar-Iran Trade Exchanges to Rise
Iranian envoy to Doha Ali Salehabadi has said that the volume of commercial exchanges between Iran and Qatar is less than 200 million dollars, adding that the volume of economic exchanges will be increased.
The Iranian envoy added, “The exchange of views and coordination between the Islamic Republic of Iran and other countries is aimed at supporting the people of Gaza, lifting the siege of Gaza and sending humanitarian aid to this country.”
-- IME Monthly Trade Reaches 12mn Tonnes
The Iran Mercantile Exchange (IME) on Sunday reported that nearly 12,238,762 tonnes of commodities and 357 vehicles with a total trading value of nearly $3 billion were traded on its physical market in the last month.
According to a report by the IME’s International Affairs, in metal and mineral trading floor, ove r9,870,000 of commodities including, 5,423,210 tonnes of cement, 2,091,000 tonnes of iron ore, 1,769,896 tonnes of steel, 540,000 tonnes of sponge iron, 97,220 tonnes of zinc, 39,325 tonnes of copper, 28,560 tonnes of aluminum, 2,000 tonnes of cast iron, 1,000 tonnes of coke, 800 tonnes of molybdenum concentrate and 250 tonnes of lead and and 357 vehicles with total value of nearly $2 billion were traded in the last month.
** TEHRAN TIMES
-- Iran’s Cinéma Vérité to dedicate special section to Gaza
The 17th edition of Iran International Documentary Film Festival Cinéma Vérité will be dedicating a special section to Gaza, the organizers have announced.
This section will feature a selection of documentaries focused on Gaza, shedding light on the ongoing issues in Palestine. Additionally, a panel discussion will take place, featuring international professors and filmmakers who will discuss the humanitarian consequences of the crisis, documentary filmmaking techniques, and more.
-- IRCS ready to share experiences in providing services to refugees
The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) is ready to cooperate with other nations and share its experiences in providing services to refugees and immigrants, the chairman of IRCS, Pir-Hossein Kolivand, has said.
Kolivand made the remarks on Saturday in a meeting with Lalini Veerassamy, the Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
-- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: Iran submits proposals for escalated tourism among member states
Iran has presented three proposals to the secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to boost tourism among member states.
The initiatives encompass selecting an annual tourism capital, facilitating visas, and sharing scientific and executive experiences among the member countries of the organization, according to Moslem Shojaei who presides over the office for foreign tourism marketing and development at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts.
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