TEHRAN (Iran News) Golabtonchi highlighted the current situation of Iranian companies in Syria, revealing that approximately 6–7 Iranian firms were previously active in the country. However, all Iranian personnel and resources have now exited Syria. Although some payments remain pending, companies managed to retrieve their equipment before departure.

Regarding the reduction in the export of technical and engineering services, Golabtonchi noted: “Over nearly three decades, we achieved $35 billion in contracts worldwide. However, the rate of exports began declining in 2011. This trend reversed in 2016 when we secured $2 billion in contracts with Iraq. Unfortunately, domestic conflicts in Iraq and the COVID-19 pandemic caused a slowdown. Since 2022, the trend has picked up again.”

In response to about which countries have replaced Iran in global markets, Golabtonchi said:

“Turkish companies have overtaken Iranian firms in Iraq, where Iran’s contracts were valued at $2 billion, compared to Turkey’s contracts reaching $24 billion. Turkish economic diplomacy has outpaced ours, and they are now a dominant player in Russia as well.”

On pending payments in Iraqi Kurdistan, Golabtonchi disclosed: “Of the $2 billion in contracts Iranian companies had in Iraq, $700 million pertained to Kurdistan, where 38 Iranian firms undertook 57 projects. Challenges such as regional conflicts and budget distribution disputes halted Iranian operations, leaving $500 million in outstanding payments.”

At the same event, Mostafa Ahmadvand, Head of Iran’s Concrete Research Center, addressed environmental concerns related to cement factories: “For the first time, laboratory-scale CO2-free cement has been produced. It will be unveiled at the National Conference on Concrete and Earthquakes.”

Ahmadvand also discussed initiatives to tackle construction waste, emphasizing the need for recycling infrastructure to produce sustainable concrete. He called for collaboration among civil organizations, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders to improve construction quality and promote eco-friendly, durable concrete capable of withstanding harsh environments, including corrosive coastal climates and earthquake zones.

Both speakers emphasized the need to strengthen Iran’s presence in global markets, improve domestic production standards, and address environmental challenges to remain competitive in construction and engineering sectors.

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TEHRAN – Turks can safely come to Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday, dismissing a warning from Ankara that its citizens should take care when travelling there due to “an increase in anti-Turkish sentiment.”

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