TEHRAN (Iran News) According to the Shiraz Chamber’s public relations office, Hamidian highlighted that Fars Province, which accounts for 7% of Iran’s land area and 6% of its population, is a key center for agriculture, industry, mining, healthcare, and tourism.

He noted that agriculture makes up 17% of the province’s economy, placing it at the top of the economic sectors in the region. Agricultural processing industries also lead the province’s industrial sector, followed by non-metallic mineral industries. Fars ranks second nationally in ornamental stone production and fourth in mineral potential.

Hamidian emphasized the province’s strong medical capacity, particularly in liver transplants. “Shiraz is recognized as a global hub for liver transplants, with over 1,000 successful procedures annually,” he said. He also pointed to the province’s significant cultivation of medicinal plants—over 80,000 hectares certified—which offers opportunities for partnership with German pharmaceutical companies.

The chamber president recalled historical industrial ties between Fars and German companies in sectors such as cable manufacturing, electrical and electronic industries, and telecommunications. However, he lamented that these partnerships have diminished due to sanctions, resulting in higher costs from indirect trade routes through third countries.

“Despite these challenges, German companies remain key buyers of Fars products such as licorice extract and powder, and continue to supply raw materials to many of our pharmaceutical firms,” Hamidian stated.

He urged for a revitalization of direct economic relations independent of political tensions, encouraging increased exchanges between businesspeople from both countries. Hamidian also invited Ambassador Potzel to allocate more time during his next visit to Fars to tour production facilities, farms, and research centers to help pave the way for broader cooperation.

German Ambassador Markus Potzel, visiting Fars Province, echoed Hamidian’s sentiments and expressed optimism that political de-escalation could unlock new economic opportunities. He praised Shiraz’s advancements in tourism infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and food industries.

“During my previous tenure as head of the economic section at the German Embassy in Tehran from 2000 to 2004, I witnessed the early stages of development. I’m now pleased to see significant progress across multiple sectors,” he said.

Potzel noted that current trade between Iran and Germany stands at around €1.5 billion, largely focused on pharmaceuticals and food products. However, he acknowledged that banking restrictions and sanctions remain serious obstacles.

Referring to the nuclear deal (JCPOA), the ambassador said that after its signing, many European companies re-entered the Iranian market. “We hope ongoing negotiations will lead to a breakthrough, enabling the private sectors of both countries to re-engage,” he added.

While stressing that economics cannot be entirely separated from politics, Potzel remarked, “Sanctions have complicated economic engagement. We’re working to ease some of these restrictions through dialogue with Iranian officials, but it requires time and political will on both sides.”

Highlighting Iran’s rich tourism potential, particularly in Shiraz, the ambassador said he visited key historical sites including Persepolis, Pasargadae, and the tombs of Hafez and Saadi. He commended the city’s progress in cultural heritage preservation and tourism development.

Regarding concerns about German nationals traveling to Iran, Potzel acknowledged existing travel warnings but noted that German tourists still visit the country. “We hope for improved safety conditions that will encourage more visitors,” he said.

In conclusion, Potzel voiced cautious optimism about improved political and economic relations, noting a more positive approach toward Iran under Germany’s new administration. He also pointed to the large and successful Iranian diaspora in Germany, particularly in medicine, law, and business, as a valuable bridge for future cooperation.

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The school is constructed in an area of 1,675 square meters with a credit of 150 billion rials (nearly $3.5 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials), Alireza Kamraei, deputy minister of education stated.

He announced that more than half a million Afghan students attended Iranian schools last school year (September 2020).

The Ministry of Education pays special attention to the construction of schools for Afghan nationals residing in Iran and has taken a rapid approach in this regard, he stated.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei placed special emphasis on “covering the education of foreign nationals” and this enabled these students to enjoy educational facilities and services just like Iranian students, he said.

Supports for Afghan refugees in Iran

Iran is hosting the world’s fourth-largest refugee community. The country has generously hosted approximately 1 million refugees for the past 30 years.

Scholarships will increase to 35 this year from 20 in previous years. Based on the latest statistics, over 3 million Afghans are living in Iran – some 780,000 Afghan refugees, over 2 million undocumented Afghans, and another 600,000 Afghan passport-holders with Iranian visas.

Iran spends about 20 trillion rials (nearly $477 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) every year on the education of foreign national students residing in the country, head of the international affairs department of the Ministry of Education Gholamreza Karimi said in March.

Over 474,000 Afghan national children are receiving education in Iran completely free of charge, he added.

Out of 970,000 foreigners (men and women) in working-age of 15 to 60 years, some 36,000 are under social insurance coverage in the country, head of Social Security Organization’s department for foreign nationals Ahmad Reza Khazaei said in July 2018.

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Hojatoleslam Seyyed Kazem Mousavi, director of the Justice Department in Fars province, said members of the nucleus of the terrorist team have been identified and arrested in the province in an operation launched by the Intelligence Ministry and police.

Mousavi said 11 active members of the terrorist group were arrested in Fars and 25 others in six eastern and western provinces in a coordinated operation.

To show its existence and create panic among the public, the terrorist group had released video clips in the virtual space, he explained.

The local official added a large amount of ammunition and weapons have been confiscated from the members.

According to Tasnim, Mousavi also said the group’s ringleaders have been identified in foreign countries.

The group had plans to carry out simultaneous terrorist attacks in several provinces with the intelligence and financial support provided by the intelligence services of a European and a regional country, the local official stated without giving further details.

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