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Iran raises tyre production by 26% y/y in Persian year first half
Iran, Russia sign engineering and mining MoU
people, the media outlet said.
Deputy Minister of Industries, Mining and Trade Daryoush Esmaeili lately observed that the world’s total gold mine reserves amounted to 50,000 tonnes, of which 320 tonnes of proven reserves belonged to Iran. He added that based on exploration and estimations, Iran’s share could be increased to 400 tonnes. “Based on the Sixth Five-Year Development Plan [2017-22], the domestic gold ingot production in the country was expected to reach 10 tonnes per year. However, since 2012, the rate has risen from 850 kg to 12 tonnes annually,” IRNA recently reported.
Iran’s second-biggest car producer SAIPA has unveiled its first domestically produced sports utility vehicle (SUV). It is called the “Offroady”, according to Asbe Bokhar magazine.
The announcement of the first “Iranian crossover” car came after SAIPA finally halted production of its much-maligned Pride which first entered production in the early 1990s and was based on the design of the Kia Pride which it took its name from.
Javad Soleimani, SAIPA’s CEO, announced the SUV without revealing details of the car or even close-up pictures of the vehicle.
"This product will be the first localised SUV in the country and features two differentials and an independent chassis, which gives this car considerable capability, power and quality," he said.
Social media immediately questioned the origins of the SUV which has appeared out of thin air, with some suggesting it may be a rebadged Chinese vehicle.
Iranian automakers have a long history of working with Chinese car manufacturers.
SAIPA previously assembled small SUVs but under foreign brand names. Soleimani noted that along with the Offroady, other cars from the firm’s localised SP-100 platform would be brought on to the market.
The Iranian Mining Engineering Organisation (IMEO) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Russian Export Centre (REC) to expand cooperation in engineering and mining, IRNA reported on August 18.
Discussions on such a cooperation have been taking place for months. Russian firms are looking to use technology and knowhow to boost Iranian mining production and potentially export resulting additional output to Russia. The MoU was signed in Tehran by the head of IMEO, Taki Nabaii, and head of the REC, Pavel Bukhanov.
Nabaii said: “According to this memorandum, the ground will be prepared for the development of cooperation between Iran and Russia. The two countries have good opportunities in the mining industry.”
He added that the REC would help Iran import mining equipment.
9.1.12 Defence sector news
Iran boasts of “superpower” prowess in weapons production
Iranian officials have in recent weeks briefed local media on their claims that Iran is now a “superpower” in terms of weapons and military equipment production.
One report in Hamshahri followed the showcasing of new weaponry developed by domestic defence manufacturers, with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and anti-aircraft weapons given the limelight. Some models were said to be technologically superior to Russian, Chinese and North Korean alternatives.
54 IRAN Country Report November 2020 www.intellinews.com
