News in Brief
GDP at $1.81 trillion, making country 19th economy in world: PBO
Iran is now the 19th largest economy in the world, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $1.81 trillion, based on the purchasing power parity (PPPs), announced Head of Iran’s Plan and Budget Organization (PBO) Davood Manzour.
Manzour made the remark on Monday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, IRNA reported.
He said in his post that the country plans to increase its current GDP to $2.5 trillion based on the PPPs within the next five years, which will fall on the 50th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. In comments on his post, the PBO head explained that the ranking based on PPPs is determined by international bodies using a common currency which is different from the foreign currency rate announced by countries.
Industry Ministry to import 2,500 electric vehicles by yearend
The director of electric cars’ project at Iran’s Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade said 2,500 electric vehicles (EVs) will be imported into the country by the end of the current Iranian year (March 19, 2024).
Karim Sanjari added that all of the 2,500 electric cars will join the public transportation fleet, IRNA reported.
He went on to say that 600 EVs have so far been cleared from the country’s customs offices. Sanjari further pointed out that two electric car models will hit the domestic car market next year.
A total of 12 public and private sector car manufacturers will embark on importing electric cars into the country, he continued.
The official pointed to the battery needed for charging the electric vehicles, adding that two major companies will make enormous investments on manufacturing batteries for EVs.
He harbored hope that, with proper planning, the necessary infrastructures will be provided for manufacturing electric vehicles.
Iran’s Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, in cooperation with other bodies and domestic automakers, will take giant strides in developing the urban transportation fleet, he added.