News in Brief
Minister highlights achievements in space technology
Iran’s minister of communications and information technology (ICT) said the country’s space industry has gained significant achievements, especially since the administration of President Ebrahim Raisi assumed power in August 2021.
The space industry has been fully indigenized, Issa Zarepour said, adding that 11 satellites were launched during Raisi’s administration, which is unprecedented, reported Tasnim News Agency. The minister emphasized that the administration has paid special attention to the space industry. Iran has high capabilities and potential to further enhance its technical know-how in space technology, he said. Iran has gained great achievements in the space field since the glorious victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, he stated.
Iran is currently among the top 10 countries in the space industry and has managed to localize this significant industry, the minister highlighted. The country has manufactured a satellite launcher, indigenized satellite carriers and land data receiving stations, so the country can now launch its homegrown satellites to orbit using the indigenized satellite carriers, he added.
He further noted that a $500 million budget will be allocated for the development and progress of the space industry, $150 million of which has been earmarked already.
Foreign trade hits $276b under current administration
The value of Iran’s foreign trade since the administration of President Ebrahim Raisi took office in August 2021 has reached $276 billion, according to a report.
The report put the volume of foreign trade of the country in the period at 410 million tons, reported Tasnim News Agency. During the 29 months of the current administration, 95.858 million tons of products, valued at $149.558 billion, were imported into the country.
More than 113 million tons of goods, valued at over $40 billion, were exported from the country in the first 10 months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2023 to January 22, 2024).
Also, more than 32 million tons of products, valued at over $54 billion, were imported into the country from March 21, 2023, to January 22, 2024.