Formation of a clearing committee to support production and exports; “Copper” was the new driving force for investment

A meeting to review the problems of economic activists in Yazd province was held, hosted by the National Iranian Copper Industries Company.

The Deputy Minister of Economy, the Deputy Minister of Health, the Governor of Yazd, and a group of managers and economic activists of the province attended the meeting.

These meetings are held periodically, with each session hosted by one of the economic activists.

Yazd Governor’s request to review the province’s development path

Mohammad Reza Babaei, Governor of Yazd, referred to the human capacities of the province in this meeting.

He said: “Yazd province has capable human resources and economic elites. However, about 150,000 non-Iranian citizens are also employed in this province.”

The Governor of Yazd called for a review of the province’s development path.

According to him, over the past years, numerous industries have been created in Yazd beyond its existing capacities.

Of course, this does not mean not supporting active industries. On the contrary, the productivity of the province’s industrial and economic sectors must be increased.

Annual extraction of 45 million tons of minerals in Yazd

Babaei also mentioned the province’s mineral potential.

He said: “About 45 million tons of minerals are extracted in Yazd province annually.”

According to his statements, in 1402, more than 40 million tons of minerals were converted into raw materials for production and exported.

The export value of these products averaged $95 per ton.

The Governor of Yazd emphasized that the development of mining industries can increase the province’s foreign exchange earnings.

Therefore, companies should move towards producing finished products instead of focusing on raw materials.

The necessity of completing the value chain in mining industries

Babaei also mentioned steel imports in 1402.

He said: “This year, about 1.7 million tons of steel were imported into the country.”

According to him, developing the steel chain and utilizing empty capacities can provide the basis for producing these products domestically.

The Governor of Yazd considered the province’s textile industry a successful example of completing the value chain.

He added: “Yazd’s textile industry has included sewing and final product production in the chain. This action creates more added value.”

Therefore, other industries must also move towards creating final links in the chain.

Babaei urged major miners to take this issue seriously in their development plans.

Yazd’s focus on tourism and cultural heritage

The Governor of Yazd continued by mentioning the cultural history of the province.

He said: “Yazd has important potential in the fields of tourism and cultural heritage.”

Accordingly, tourism is at the forefront of the province’s pioneering projects.

Babaei emphasized the broader introduction of Yazd’s cultural heritage.

According to him, some valuable buildings in the province have been renovated despite financial constraints.

The old bazaar of Yazd is one of these projects, the renovation and beautification of which has been implemented.

Development of roads, freeways, and residential infrastructure

Babaei announced the implementation of several infrastructure projects in the province.

He said: “About 190 kilometers of the Yazd-Tabas axis have been improved and asphalted.”

Also, construction of the Espinas Hotel in Yazd has begun.

The Governor of Yazd also mentioned the Natanz-Yazd-Sirjan freeway plan.

The project was approved 16 years ago. However, its announcement came after a year and a half of follow-up.

According to Babaei, the implementation of the freeway will begin soon.

Water shortage: The main obstacle to Yazd’s industrial development

The Governor of Yazd considered the severe water shortage one of the most important obstacles to the province’s economic development.

He said: “The implementation of the seawater transfer line can meet part of the needs of Yazd’s industries.”

If this plan is implemented, industries will use unconventional waters.

As a result, existing resources for drinking water supply are preserved.

Babaei estimated that by implementing this program, the province’s drinking water needs will be met for the next 10 years.

14 cm of land subsidence in Ardakan

The Governor of Yazd warned about the state of groundwater resources.

He announced the rate of land subsidence in Ardakan at about 14 centimeters per year.

Also, the province’s groundwater reserves are decreasing by about 240 million cubic meters annually.

According to Babaei, 900 million cubic meters of water is withdrawn from underground aquifers annually for the agricultural sector.

These figures show that continuing the current trend could threaten the environmental sustainability of the province.

Increasing the number of industrial units in Yazd

Babaei also pointed to the rapid growth in the number of industrial units in the province.

He said: The initial capacity of Yazd industry was about 1,200 units.

However, there are now three thousand industrial units operating in the province.

In addition, another three thousand units are under construction.

The increase in the number of industries has increased the province’s need for water, electricity, and transportation infrastructure.

Therefore, industrial development must be coordinated with the province’s natural resource and infrastructure capacity.

Completion of the Persian Gulf water transfer line to Chadormalou

The Governor of Yazd also explained the latest status of the water transfer plan from the Persian Gulf.

He said: 150 billion tomans have been provided for the implementation of this project.

In the first phase, the Persian Gulf water pipeline to the Chadormaloo complex will be completed.

The goal of this project is to provide part of the water needed by industries and reduce pressure on underground resources.

Proposal to build 19,000 megawatts of solar power plant

Babaei referred to renewable energy development programs in the province.

He said: “Proposals for investment in the construction of a 19,000-megawatt solar power plant have been submitted to the Yazd Governorate.”

According to him, of the five thousand megawatts of solar power plant capacity created in the country, about 500 megawatts are located in Yazd province.

Yazd’s climatic conditions have created suitable capacity for the development of solar power plants.

On the other hand, the expansion of these power plants can partially reduce the problem of supplying electricity to industrial units.

Deputy Minister of Economy: Economic growth requires investment

Mehdi Heydari, Deputy Minister of Economy and Head of the Iranian Investment and Technical and Economic Assistance Organization, was another speaker at the meeting.

He said: “The country’s economic development is not possible without economic growth.”

On the other hand, achieving economic growth also requires investment.

Heidari emphasized that investment depends on proper economic relations with the world.

However, even in the current situation, there is room for improvement.

Organizing projects to attract capital

The Deputy Minister of Economy explained the Investment Organization’s plans.

He said: “Over the past year, investment projects have been organized.”

These projects are now being presented to investors in a standard format.

The investment organization has also tried to remove obstacles to the implementation of some projects.

According to Heidari, removing administrative obstacles can accelerate the process of attracting domestic and foreign capital.

Securing $10 billion in capital for the Azadegan project

Heydari also mentioned the Azadegan project.

He said: “This project required an investment of $10 billion, and the necessary resources were provided.”

The Deputy Minister of Economy also mentioned the Bafgh-Sangan railway as one of the most important railway projects in the country.

This route is also connected to the economic area of ​​Yazd province.

If the project is completed, a significant portion of the mineral cargo on the Bafgh-Sangan route will be transported by railway.

The annual cargo volume of this route is announced to be about 20 million tons.

Proposal to present a list of profitable projects in Yazd

Heydari asked provincial officials to prepare a list of profitable projects in Yazd.

This list should include projects that require an investor to implement.

According to him, the investment organization can use the capacity of foreign investors for these projects.

He added: “Despite the restrictions caused by sanctions, suitable proposals have been made for investment in Iran.”

Issuing a foreign investment license in a solar power plant

The Deputy Minister of Economy announced the issuance of a license for a large solar project in Yazd.

According to him, the Foreign Investment Board has approved the construction of a 1,500 megawatt solar power plant in the province.

Implementing this project can increase the capacity for clean electricity generation in Yazd.

Also, the province’s industries can supply part of their energy needs from these power plants.

Deputy Minister of Economy: Copper now plays the role of gold

Heidari also addressed the outlook for the global copper market.

He said: “The copper industry is one of the areas that has the potential for development in the current situation.”

According to him, copper is now playing the role of gold in global markets.

The price of each ton of copper has also reached about $13,500.

The Deputy Minister of Economy announced the market value of the National Iranian Copper Industries Company at around two thousand hemats.

He also emphasized the position of the “family” symbol in the capital market.

Copper, a field with good foreign exchange returns

Heidari considered the copper industry to be one of the sectors with foreign exchange returns.

He said: “This industry is less vulnerable to sanctions compared to many activities.”

According to him, iron ore is exported at a price of about $100 per ton.

In contrast, the export value of each ton of copper can reach around $13,500.

This difference shows the importance of developing the copper chain.

Therefore, increasing copper exploration, extraction, and processing should be included in the country’s economic plans.

Proposal to issue copper bonds

The Deputy Minister of Economy considered the upstream oil, gas, and mining industries important for the country’s economy.

He said: “In the first stage, mining exploration operations must be developed.”

After that, it is important to create added value and complete the production chain.

Heidari suggested that copper futures certificates or copper currency bonds be issued on the capital market.

These tools can provide the resources needed to explore and exploit copper mines.

Deputy Minister of Commerce: Trade is the axis of development of Yazd province

Mohammad Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, Deputy Minister of Interior and Head of the Trade Development Organization of Iran, also spoke at the meeting.

He said: “Trade can be one of the main axes of development in Yazd province.”

Yazd has a good reputation in the field of industrial production.

Also, the economic activists of this province have high reputation in domestic and foreign markets.

Geographical location, commercial advantage of Yazd

Dehghan Dehnavi considered Yazd’s geographical location to be another economic advantage of the province.

Yazd is located in the center of the country.

For this reason, it has convenient access to southern ports, northern ports, and the capital.

The head of the Trade Development Organization emphasized that Yazd’s industrial and commercial development must be carried out based on global standards.

Also, economic actors must take a long-term view of international markets.

This approach can make it easier to introduce the province’s business opportunities.

Inviting Yazdi activists to participate in the African market

Dehghan Dehnavi announced the holding of the fourth Iran-Africa trade summit.

This summit will be held simultaneously with the IranExpo exhibition.

He considered the African continent a land of economic opportunities.

The head of the Trade Development Organization called on Yazd’s economic activists to have a stronger presence in the markets of this continent.

According to him, Yazd’s industrial and mining capacities can provide the basis for developing exports to Africa.

Formation of an import and export clearing committee

Deputy Minister of Justice announced the formation of a clearing committee.

This committee operates with the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Economy, and the Central Bank.

Its task is to review requests and issue import and export clearing licenses.

Under normal circumstances, exporters of copper, steel, and petrochemical products must offer their export currency at the exchange center.

Therefore, they cannot directly use the export currency to import goods.

Possibility of importing raw materials with export currency

Under the new regulation, some exporters can apply for offsets.

This request must be related to the import of raw materials for production.

Then, the clearing committee examines the proposal’s impact on export development.

If approved by the committee, a clearing license will be issued.

This mechanism can make it easier to supply raw materials to export industries.

Also, some of the problems caused by currency restrictions will be reduced.

Head of Productivity Organization: Productivity partially compensates for resource shortages

Mohammad Saleh Auliya, head of the National Productivity Organization, delivered a speech in the final part of the meeting.

He said: “In previous years, many families migrated to Yazd for employment.”

These families would settle in the province after a while.

According to the elders, the existence of elite human resources has been one of the main reasons for Yazd’s development.

The need to strengthen transportation and knowledge-based companies

The head of the National Productivity Organization emphasized strengthening the province’s transportation infrastructure.

He said: “Constructing a freeway can increase the amount of traffic and tourist arrivals to Yazd.”

Therefore, developing the transportation network should be a priority.

Olya also spoke about the role of knowledge-based companies.

According to him, the expansion of these companies will provide the basis for the elite to remain in the province.

Productivity: A way to compensate for capital shortages

The elders considered the people of Yazd to be famous for their productivity and proper use of resources.

He emphasized that this feature should also be strengthened in the business environment.

Increasing productivity can partially compensate for companies’ lack of capital.

Also, businesses can reduce their costs by making better use of available resources.

As a result, productivity is not just a management concept. It can become one of the main tools for the province’s economic development.

Conclusion

The meeting to examine the problems of Yazd’s economic activists focused on several main areas.

Completing the value chain, developing investment, increasing productivity, and strengthening trade were among the most important topics of the meeting.

Also, water shortages, land subsidence, and energy supply for industries were considered.

Officials emphasized the development of solar energy and seawater transfer to reduce pressure on underground resources.

In the mining sector, the development of copper exploration, processing, and the use of new financial instruments were also proposed.

Finally, attendees emphasized that the future development of Yazd must be in harmony with the province’s water, energy, environmental, and human resource capacities.