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16 Pages Price 10,000 Rials 38th year No.12970 Tuesday NOVEMBER 7, 2017 Aban 16, 1396 Safar 18, 1439 Zarif: Visits to S. Arabia Iran self-sufficiency Iran seeks “The Girl Who Escaped prove ‘hazardous’ rooted in sanctions: World Heritage listing ISIS” comes to Iranian to region 2 Amal Movement rep. 6 for Ardestan mosque 10 bookstores 16

Lebanon to only consider ‘voluntary’ resignation from Hariri Lebanese Justice Minister Salim Jreis- become prime minister. But he said he Pakistan army chief sati says Saad Hariri, who announced was stepping down in an abrupt an- his resignation as Lebanon’s prime nouncement broadcast from Riyadh minister from Saudi Arabia on Satur- on Saturday, in what has been widely day, should return to the country and seen as a move taken under the House his resignation should be “voluntary” of Saud regime pressure. meets top Iranian officials to be formally considered by President After a meeting of high-level offi- Michel Aoun. cials chaired by President Aoun, Jreis- See page 2 Hariri reached an agreement with sati said on Monday that Hariri’s resig- political factions in Lebanon in 2016 to nation “must be voluntary 13 Iran calls Saudi-led coalition statement ‘provocative’ POLITICS TEHRAN — The of supplying Yemen with the missile deskForeign Ministry on launched Saturday toward the Saudi Monday categorically dismissed accu- capital’s international airport. sations against Iran by the Saudi-led The ministry spokesman Bahram coalition fighting against Yemen as Qassemi said that launch of missile “provocative”, “malicious”, “irresponsi- was an “independent act” taken by Ye- ble” and “destructive”. menis themselves and the reason be- The Saudi-led coalition issued a hind it was Saudis’ aggressions against statement on Sunday accusing Iran their country. 2

IMF forecasts $23.3b GDP growth for Iran in 2017 ECONOMY TEHRAN- The Inter- IMF’s forecast put Iran’s real GDP desknational Monetary growth at 3.5 percent in 2017 and 3.8 Fund (IMF) in its latest World Econom- percent in 2018. ic Outlook predicted that Iran’s gross Further in its report, the interna- domestic product (GDP) will rise $23.3 tional fund put the predicted crude billion to $427.7 billion in 2017. oil and natural gas production for

Amin Jalali The report also forecasted a 3.7-per- Iran at 3.79 million barrels per day cent non-oil GDP growth for the country (bpd) in 2017 rising from 3.69 million in 2017, rising from 3.3 percent in 2016, bpd in 2016, and at 3.92 million bpd IRNA/ with no change in 2018. in 2018.

ARTICLE Iran, Russia step up ties with first house of commerce ARTICLE H.E. Pang Sen By Hanif Ghaffari Ambassador of the People’s Iran has opened its first house of commerce nian partners about the creation of a Russian producers have pavilions to present and sell Political analyst Republic of China to Iran in Russia, in Astrakhan Oblast in the south of house of commerce in Iran which would fur- their food but they don’t have a space espe- the country. The new institution is home to 14 ther stimulate relations between small- and cially for business negotiations. chambers of commerce and industry from 14 medium-sized businesses in the two coun- “In Food City, the goods can get cus- provinces of Iran, who will exhibit their prod- tries. toms approval and be put up for sale, while Create new era, ucts on the first floor of the building. “We are in a serious position to enter the this building will become a venue for ne- Ongoing crisis in It is an “unprecedented event” that will en- Iranian market we’ve already got some good gotiations and getting acquainted with the share new future able the strengthening of trade links between proposals. At last week’s ‘Business Caspi- content and trends of the two countries’ Catalonia the two countries, Astrakhan’s Minister of In- an-2017’ forum, we saw that a lot of Iranian markets. Here, Iranian producers can hold he 19th National Congress of ternational and Foreign Economic Relations businesses are participating in the trading short-term exhibitions of their goods,” he n 2006, citizens of Catalonia called the Communist Party of Chi- Denis Afanasev told Sputnik. house and are attempting to develop re- explained. for the autonomy of this state in a Tna (CPC) was successfully held The house of commerce will provide Rus- lations with other countries in the Caspian The consul is hopeful that the new center Imassive referendum. At the same in Beijing in October. H.E. Xi Jinping, sian entrepreneurs with a new opportunity to Sea region,” Afanasev said. will enable the further development of coop- time, some independent and separa- General Secretary of the CPC Central discuss projects and contracts with their Irani- Iran’s consul general in Astrakhan Ali Mo- eration between Iranian businesses and Rus- tist groups were active in the region. Committee, delivered an important an counterparts, Afanasev added. hammadi told Sputnik that Iran aims to use sian ones, particularly in Astrakhan. He has But their activity was very limited be- report which set forth fundamental “Businesspeople from Astrakhan or else- the new center to better understand the already noted a tendency toward increased cause many Catalan residents believed policies to guide China’s future de- where in Russia wishing to build trade rela- Russian consumer market and increase its trade. that, being autonomous, there was no velopment, including deepening the tions with Iran can come to the house, look exports. “The level of understanding and coop- place for a claim for independence reforms comprehensively, adopting a at the products and choose what they need. “In 2012, an agreement was signed be- eration is growing, but of course it takes from Spain. However, over time, we new vision for development and ad- Here they can contact the representative of tween the governors of Gilan [Iran] and As- time. During the two years that I have spent witnessed an intensification of eco- vancing law-based governance. The a particular company, conclude agreements trakhan Oblast on the construction of an in Astrakhan, I have felt that the conver- nomic crises in Catalonia, on the one CPC’s new leading group was elected on trade and discuss the logistics of delivery.” Iranian house of commerce in the city of As- gence that is really needed for increased hand, and an increase in the autono- and H.E. Xi Jinping was re-elected as “I believe this structure will fill a certain trakhan. trade is happening and to some extent has mists’ propaganda campaigns on the General Secretary of the CPC Central niche, that is, it will close a vacuum that ex- In 2015, the Chamber of Commerce of Gi- accelerated.” other hand. The increase of Catalonia’s Committee for the next five years. ists in business between Russia and Iran and lan Province helped to survey of several plots “Our data for the first 8 months of 2017 debt to central government (nearly 42 As the world’s biggest political create good conditions for increasing trade of land, eventually selecting a plot of 1500 shows that the export of goods from As- billion euros) has been the result of the party with 89 million members, the turnover and cooperation,” he added. square meters in the center of the city. In col- trakhan to Iran amounted to about $95 failure of central government officials CPC is leading the country with the “This is precisely the point of opening this laboration with the Iranian Chamber of Com- million, while Iran exported $17 million in Madrid. largest population and the second house: to bring the business of the two coun- merce, this formerly residential building to Astrakhan over the same period. Astra- On the other hand, Catalonia’s in- largest economy in the world. Over tries closer, to establish contacts for logistics, was reconstructed and turned into an office khan’s main item of export was timber ($44 dependence advocates believe that the past five years, by implementing for Russian entrepreneurs to get to know Ira- building with an area of 1150 square meters.” million), followed by grain ($35 million). In despite the provision of 20 percent a series of significant policies, actions nian products for the Iranians to get to know Mohammadi said the new house of com- third place were seeds and sunflower oil,” of Spain’s GDP by Catalans, as well as and plans, the CPC has overcome a them,” Afanasev explained. merce is different to other centers in Russia Mohammadi said. providing 27 percent of Spain’s total lot of long-lingering difficulties and Discussions are already ongoing with Ira- such as Moscow’s Food City, where Iranian (Source: Sputnik) exports by Catalonia, there is a proper accomplished many long-aspired ground for the independence of this development goals. Being held at state and its transformation into an the critical moment of building a independent country. On the oth- moderately prosperous society in er side, opponents of Catalonia’s all respects, the 19th CPC Congress autonomy, despite the existing dis- is of epoch-making significance for Arba’een satisfaction of the central govern- China’s future. ment and in particular its tax policy In H.E. Xi Jinping’s report, it is high- towards Catalonia, are in favor of lighted that “ the dream of the Chi- Trekking: A alternatives such as greater auton- nese people is closely connected with omy and improvement of existing the dreams of other peoples of the window to relations. They believe that Catal- world”. With the rise of its position and onia’s separation from Spain is the influence in the world, China -is mak spiritual delight worst possible option, because in ing more and more contribution to this case, Spain will cut off its rela- the development of world economy TEHRAN — “I have severe backache tions with Catalonia and will not be and international community. China and too much walking is strictly pro- a trade partner for it. will adhere to the path of peaceful de- hibited for me, however, I attend Ar- Moreover, many European coun- velopment and continue its unremit- ba’een Trekking since I do love Imam tries will not recognize the indepen- ting efforts to safeguard world peace, Hussein (AS), he is my hero,” a mid- dence of Catalonia. This will create a contribute to global development and lot of trouble for the inhabitants of Meysam Maniei dle-aged women with tearful eyes said uphold international order. China will in a television interview aired by the Catalonia. However, many post-2006 stick to fostering new international re- Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting presidential analysts predicted that lations featuring mutual respect, fair- (IRIB) on Saturday evening, some days the desire of the citizens of Catalo- ness, justice, win-win cooperation and before Arba’een, which falls November nia for independence will become a building a community of shared future Times/ Tehran 9 this year. 9 major hardship for the Madrid gov- for mankind. 7 ernment. 7 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS NOVEMBER 7, 2017 MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS Kerry: JCPOA had no spirit to be violated Two new governors appointed POLITICS TEHRAN — Former “The Iranian regime has committed deskU.S. secretary of state multiple violations of the agreement…,” John Kerry has condemned President Trump claimed then. Donald Trump’s decision to decertify Addressing these remarks, Kerry the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran said, “The violation idea has been POLITICS TEHRAN — In a cabinet meeting on and world powers, stressing that the pulled out of the sky. There is no deskMonday, the members of President agreement is working as expected. science, no evidence that would merit Rouhani’s cabinet passed a vote of confidence on “Important to note the simple things decertification.” two proposed governors for Sistan-Baluchestan and - the Iran nuclear deal is working, “China and Russia played significant Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari provinces. doing precisely what it was set up to roles in JCPOA, a truly global effort; we Danial Mohebi was named as the governor of the do,” Kerry told a gathering at Britain’s need more of that not less.” the former border province of Sistan-Baluchestan and Eqbal Abbasi Royal Institute of International Affairs, U.S. secretary of state said. the governor of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari, IRNA reported. commonly known as Chatham House The 159-page nuclear agreement Speaking at the meeting, President Rouhani said Iran’s on Monday. between Iran and the 5+1 group security is indebted to the administration’s moderate He added, “I heard the U.S. president (Russia, China, the U.S., Britain, approach and its efforts to maintain justice and equality say there’s a violation of the spirit of the France, and Germany) was reached between different sects. Iran deal - There was no spirit of the in July 2015 and came into force in deal.” January 2016. On October 13, Trump in a major Since the historic deal was reached, Iranian, Iraqi confrontational stance against the The chief nuclear negotiator in the Obama the International Atomic Energy Islamic Republic of Iran refused to administration says JCPOA working by Agency has in eight reports confirmed defense ministers certify the deal, known as the Joint the Islamic Republic’s compliance with discuss ties Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). scientific verification, not trust its commitments under the JCPOA. Ashton hopes Congress helps Trump to think again about nuclear deal POLITICS TEHRAN — Defense Minister Amir POLITICS Catherine Ashton, the former viability of a deal, diplomacy stands little chance.” deskHatami held a phone conversation deskEuropean Union foreign policy In his new Iran strategy declared on October 13, with his Iraqi counterpart Erfan al-Hiyali on Monday chief, has expressed hope that Congress helps U.S. Trump decertified the nuclear deal and asked Congress to discuss expansion of bilateral ties and safety of President Donald Trump to think again about the to decide about the fate of the agreement. Congress Arbaeen pilgrims. 2015 nuclear deal. now has to decide whether to reimpose economic During the conversation, Hatami congratulated the “Despite the clear evidence of the IAEA [the sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under the deal. Iraqi army and Popular Mobilization Forces on recent International Atomic Energy Agency] inspectors Trump said if Congress does nothing he himself will victories against terrorism and underlined Tehran’s that Iran is sticking to its side of the deal, he terminate the deal. determination to improve ties with Iraq, IRNA reported. [Trump] is determined to change the agreement— The decision came despite the fact that the IAEA The defense minister also discussed the safety of threatening to pull out of it if he doesn’t get his – the United Nations nuclear watchdog – has issued Arbaeen pilgrims, thanking the Iraqi forces for their way. This raises distinct problems for diplomacy in eight reports each time confirming that Tehran is efforts in providing the security in the area. general and U.S. diplomacy in particular,” she said abiding fully to the terms of the agreement. in an article published by Prospect magazine on The nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Zarif receives new Monday. Plan of Action, was signed by Iran, the European Ashton also said that many Iranians were concerned “All forms of collaboration have just become harder. Union, Germany and the five permanent members of Cuban, Cypriot that the U.S. could not be trusted and it might lack Any nation or non-state actor will now think twice the UN Security Council - the United States, Britain, ambassadors a lasting commitment to a nuclear agreement and before doing a deal with the U.S.,” she said. France, China and Russia in July 2015. The agreement added that Trump may prove them right. She noted, “Without confidence in the long-term went into effect in January 2016.

POLITICS TEHRAN — Foreign Minister deskMohammad Javad Zarif on Monday Zarif says visits to S. Arabia prove ‘hazardous’ to region received new ambassadors of Cuba and Cyprus to POLITICS TEHRAN — Iranian “Visits to the belligerent #KSA have led to Hariri’s bizarre resignation while of course blames Iran,” Zarif noted. desk Tehran, IRNA reported. Foreign Minister proved hazardous to regional health. abroad. Of course, Iran is accused of He added, “KSA is engaged in In separate meetings with the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif said that visits Trump visit led to Bahrain repression interference.” wars of aggression, regional bullying, Cuban Ambassador Alexis Bandrich Vega and Cypriot by foreign officials to Saudi Arabia followed by Qatar debacle,” the top “#KSA bombs #Yemen to smithereens, destabilizing behavior & risky Ambassador Petros Nacouzis submitted a copy of their have “proved hazardous to regional Iranian diplomat tweeted on Monday. killing 1000’s of innocents including provocations. It blames Iran for the credentials. health”. “Visits by Kushner & Lebanese PM babies, spreads cholera and famine, but consequences.” During the meetings, Zarif discussed issues of mutual interest and relations with Cuba and Cyprus. Pakistan army chief meets Advisor warns top Iranian officials against plots POLITICS TEHRAN — Visiting Pa- deskkistani Chief of Army Staff targeting regional Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday held sep- Second Announcement states arate talks with President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran Alumina Co POLITICS TEHRAN — Hamid Aboutalebi, a and Major General Mohammad Baqeri, the deskpolitical advisor to President Hassan chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces International Call Request For Investment Rouhani, said on Monday that creating new crises is During the meeting with Zarif, the officials not a good way to overcome current crises, warning discussed cooperation in various areas of under Off-Take contract Facility against plots targeting Iraq, Lebanon and other re- politics, border security, economy and fight gional countries. against terrorism and extremism. Alumina Iran Co. affiliated to Iranian Mines And Mining Industries “Such approach would not lead to security, stability Iran’s readiness to export gas to Pakistan, and peace,” tweeted Aboutalebi in reference to the re- unity among the Islamic countries and ne- Development And Renovation Organization" (IMIDRO) intends to launch cent developments in Lebanon. cessity of awareness to foil plots which seek He also said the only way to overcome such crises to create division among Muslims were other an international call for investment/finance facility requiremnet in the is to respect regional countries’ independence and sov- issues that Zarif and Bajwa discussed. ereignty, fighting tyranny and occupation, and holding Baqeri and the top Pakistani general held amount of 50 milion euro for the completion of phase 1 of its existing talks with mutual respect. talks on expansion of relations in the spheres of defense and security. aluminum smelter project with more than 80% progress and is planned to Missile, radar be completed and commissioned within the next 10 months.The annual systems stationed Iran calls Saudi-led at border to protect coalition statement capacity is 40000 mt per year . Arbaeen pilgrims ‘provocative’ With the publication of this international public call, the valid local and POLITICS TEHRAN — Amri Jafari, commander of 1 desk “Saudis, who have not been able to achieve foreign Off-Takers/ investors with investing ability and adequate experience the tactical air defense unit of Khatam their evil objectives through long-term war and al-Anbiya Air Defense Base, said on Monday that missile aggression, are making the situation more compli- are invited to announce their interest in writing to the contact information as and radar systems have been stationed near Iran’s bor- cated for their defeated coalition by levelling un- der with Iraq to safeguard Arbaeen pilgrims. founded and wrong accusations,” Qassemi stated. mentioned below within one month from the date of this public call . The All ingoing and outgoing flights are examined thor- Qassemi’s comments came shortly after Ri- oughly during Arbaeen rituals to secure the area’s air- yadh said the attack is a “flagrant military ag- products which is deliverd by Iran Alumina Co as the client for the Off-Take ways, Jafari said, Mehr news agency reported. gression by the Iranian-controlled Houthi mili- More than two million Iranian nationals are expected tias” against the Saudi kingdom. facility purpose is Aluminum Sows P1020 with 99.7% purity . to travel to Iraq to attend the Arbaeen ritual. According to Al-Jazeera, in a statement car- Jafari also said that 1400 commercial flights pass ried by the state news agency, Saudi officials through Iran’s airways. labelled the attack a potential “act of war” and said “Iran’s role and its direct command of its Contact information: Tehran to host Houthi proxy in this matter constitutes a clear act of aggression.” ALUMINA IRAN CO. , second floor, No. 362, asad abadi street, security conference The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman on January 8 urged Saudi Arabia to stop attacking the in- Tehran-IRAN nocent Yemeni people immediately and pro- vide the ground for inter-Yemeni dialogue Tel: 009821-88051406 , Ext.123 and help establish peace in the country. POLITICS TEHRAN — Jamal Shafi’ee, the chief desk On Sunday U.S. President Donald Trump also Fax: 009821-88051406 of the Center for Strategic Studies of claimed Iran is behind the missile launch. In re- National Security, said on Monday that the second con- sponse, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps chief Mo- Postal code: 1436773831 ference on regional security will be held in Tehran on hammad Ali Jafari said Trump has “many absurd” January 8. things against Iran and this one is like others. Email: [email protected] Shafi’ee said the conference will discuss challenges, The top general added actually there is emerging trends, and the consequences of foreign inter- “no possibility” for Iran to deliver such missiles Website: www.iranalumina.ir vention in the region, Fars news agency reported. to Yemenis. Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier “Since 2010, we’ve been facing with Takfiri move- General Amir Hatami also dismissed the claim ments and their presence in the region, backed by the by Trump. “The enemy uses every opportunity IRAN ALUMINA CO world’s big powers and some regional countries,” he said, to make accusations against Iran. We categori- stressing the need to deal with such issues. cally reject this allegation,” Hatami asserted. en.iranalumina.ir I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 7, 2017 INTERNATIONAL Iraq’s top court bans any secession Ousted Catalan leader after Kurdish crisis blasts Spain after Belgium Abadi urges KRG commitment to national unity frees him Iraq’s Supreme Federal Court has ruled tember 25 despite strong opposition that no region or province could se- from Iraqi authorities, the internation- cede from the homeland after an un- al community, and Iraq’s neighboring constitutional Kurdish referendum that countries, especially Turkey and Iran. ended in failure but brought the coun- Following the vote, Baghdad im- try to the brink of a new crisis. posed a ban on direct international The court said it took the decision flights to the Kurdish region and called on Monday in response to a govern- for a halt to its independent crude oil ment request to put an end to any sales. “wrong misinterpretation” of the con- On October 12, an Iraqi govern- stitution and assert the unity of Iraq. ment spokesman said Baghdad had The court is responsible for settling set a series of conditions that the KRG disputes between Iraq’s central govern- needed to meet before any talks on ment and regions including Kurdistan. the resolution of the referendum crisis The referendum on the secession of could start. the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region “The KRG must first commit to (KRG/ Kurdistan Regional Government) Iraq’s unity. The local authorities in in Iraq’s north was held on September the [Kurdistan] region… must accept 25 despite strong opposition from Iraqi the sovereign authority of the federal authorities, the international communi- government on… oil exports, [as well ty, and Iraq’s neighboring countries. secession going awry. Court, and to declare their pledge to as] security and border protection, in- Catalonia’s sacked separatist leader Carles Puigdemont The Iraqi parliament had ruled the National unity non-separation or separation from cluding land and air entry points,” the on Monday denounced Spain as an undemocratic coun- vote unconstitutional beforehand. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Iraq, Arabic-language al-Sumaria tele- unnamed Iraqi official added. try that “unjustly” jailed his colleagues, his first reaction The region then refused to hand has called on the KRG to clearly an- vision network reported. On October 16, Iraqi federal forces since he was freed on bail in Belgium. over its airports and border crossings nounce its firm committed to the na- The Iraqi prime minister added that retook control of the Kurdish-held city Puigdemont and four former ministers were released to Baghdad as it was ordered, trigger- tional unity following tensions between there is no provision in the Iraqi con- of Kirkuk. with conditions Sunday night after turning themselves in ing a military escalation. It eventual- Baghdad government and Kurdish au- stitution that allows secession, stressing Abadi has already demanded the to Belgian authorities to face a Spanish warrant for their ly accepted Baghdad’s conditions, and thorities over a non-binding Kurdish that all decisions taken by the central annulment of the referendum. arrest on charges of rebellion and sedition. took its paramilitary forces out of much secession vote. government in Baghdad have been “We won’t accept anything but its “Released without bail. Our thoughts are with col- of the territory it controlled. Abadi, in a statement released by within these constitutional articles and cancellation and the respect of the leagues unjustly imprisoned by a state that is far from Last month, the Iraqi region’s presi- his office on Monday, demanded Kurd- its legitimate powers. constitution,” he said in a statement on democratic norms,” Puigdemont said on Twitter hours dent Masoud Barzani resigned from his ish officials to abide by constitution and The referendum on secession of the October 26 during a visit to Tehran. after the five were released. (Source: Press TV) post after seeing his campaign for the the decisions of the Federal Supreme Iraqi Kurdistan region was held on Sep- A Spanish judge in Madrid had on Thursday put Pu- igdemont’s deputy and seven other deposed regional ministers behind bars because of a risk they would flee. Saudi prince killed in helicopter crash, crackdown on Belgium’s Foreign Minister Didier Reynders insisted it was a legal matter and not one for politicians to deal with, despite recent criticism of Spain from some Flem- high-profile figures widens ish separatist members of his own government. A House of Saud regime prince has been killed in a helicop- Meanwhile, Saudi regime authorities have detained the gime’s Anti-Corruption Committee headed by the crown “We must let the Belgian and Spanish courts do their ter crash close to country’s southern border with Yemen. founder of one of the regime’s biggest travel companies as prince on Saturday in a crackdown which has reportedly work,” Reynders told his country’s media. According to the Saudi regime’s al-Ekhbariya news part of an ongoing anti-corruption probe that is reportedly consolidated his power. Puigdemont and his allies escaped to Belgium a channel, the deputy governor of the Asir province Prince aimed at strengthening the crown prince’s grip on power. According to Saudi regime media, billionaire Prince Al- week ago after Spain dismissed the Catalan executive Mansour bin Moqren was killed in the crash on Sunday. Al Tayyar Travel Company quoted media reports as Waleed bin Talal, Saudi Arabia’s best-known international and imposed direct rule on the semi-autonomous re- A number of other government officials were also killed saying that Nasser bin Aqeel al-Tayyar, who is still a board investor, was also among those detained. gion following the declaration of independence by the in the crash. Moqren formerly worked as an advisor at the member, was arrested on Monday, without elaborating. National Guard Chief Prince Meteb bin Abdullah was parliament there last month. court of the crown prince of the House of Saud regime. Shares in the company plunged 10 percent in the open- also detained and replaced by Khaled bin Ayyaf, recalling a Surrendered to justice Rescue teams were said to be at the scene to recover ing minutes of trade on the news. palace coup in June which ousted his elder cousin, Moham- Spain issued European arrest warrants on Friday after the remains. The incident came at a time that the Saudi re- Online economic news service SABQ, which is close med bin Nayef, as heir to the throne and interior minister. Puigdemont and his allies ignored a summons to ap- gime is incessantly pounding Yemen in an attempt to rein- to the government, said Tayyar had been detained in an A royal decree on Saturday said the crackdown was in pear before a judge on allegations linked to the move state former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who is a investigation by a new anti-corruption body headed by response to “exploitation by some of the weak souls who to declare Catalonia an independent state. staunch ally of the Riyadh regime and to crush the popular Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. have put their own interests above the public interest, in Puigdemont’s PDeCAT party said Sunday that he had Ansarullah (Houthi) movement. Meanwhile, pan-Arab newspaper Al-Asharq Al-Aw- order to, illicitly, accrue money.” turned himself in to show his “willingness not to flee It also came just one day after the kingdom detained sat reported that a no-fly list had been drawn up and the Over the past year, the crown prince has become the from the judicial process but to defend himself in a fair dozens of princes, ministers and former ministers on the security forces in some Saudi airports were preventing ultimate decision-maker for the Persian Gulf kingdom’s mil- and impartial process, which is possible in Belgium, and order of Saudi regime’s Anti-Corruption Committee head- owners of private jets from departing the country without itary, foreign, economic and social policies, angering some highly doubtful in Spain”. ed by Saudi regime Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a permit. Dozens of princes, ministers and former minis- royals frustrated by his unorthodox and swift rise. The next court hearing will be in the following 15 (MBS). ters were detained on the order of the House of Saud re- (Source: agencies) days. Belgium has up to 60 days to decide whether to send the Catalans back to Spain. Puigdemont, who still describes himself as Catalo- U.S. mourns as Trump cites Texas suspect’s mental health nia’s “president,” has also said he is willing to run as a candidate in the December 21 regional election called Democrats blame Republicans for loose gun control laws by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to “restore normality” to Catalonia. The United States is in mourning after a church has once again sparked gun con- Puigdemont has said he and his colleagues -- Mer- gunman armed with an assault rifle killed trol debates in the U.S., with former Pres- itxell Serret, Antoni Comin, Lluis Puig and Clara Ponsati at least 26 people at a church in Texas, ident Barack Obama and other figures -- would cooperate with the Belgian authorities, some among them a young child and elderly weighing in on the issue. of whom are sympathetic to the ousted Catalan leaders. worshipper, as debates over the owner- “May God also grant all of us the wis- “In Belgium they release us without bail, while in ship of weapons resurfaced. dom to ask what concrete steps we can Spain we would be jailed,” Serret said on Twitter. Sunday’s shooting came little more take to reduce the violence and weapon- Puigdemont admitted last week that he had gone to than one month after the deadliest ry in our midst,” Obama wrote in a tweet Belgium partly in a bid to take the Catalan issue to the shooting in recent U.S. history, when a on Sunday night, after a former U.S. Air heart of the European Union, which has so far backed gunman on October 1 killed 58 people Force serviceman killed 27 people at the Madrid over the crisis. attending a concert in Las Vegas. First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Belgian tensions As vigils for the dead took place, U.S. Texas. But the case has caused tensions both between Bel- President Donald Trump, who is visiting Former vice president Joe Biden also gium and Madrid, as well as within the government of Japan, offered condolences and told re- reacted by urging Americans not to give Belgium, a country divided between French- and Flem- porters on Monday: “We have a lot of in to “hopelessness” and “persist in our ish-speaking populations. mental health problems in our country, efforts to prevent gun violence.” Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon, a member of but this isn’t a gun situation.” Republican reaction the Flemish separatist N-VA party, questioned why the He described the Texas gunman as The issue of gun violence has pro- EU has failed to denounce the harsh crackdown by one “deranged”, saying the shooting repre- victim died after being transferred to hos- this month and some 1,495 so far this voked a lot heated debates under Re- of its 28 member states. sented a “mental health problem at the pital. year in the U.S. publican President Donald Trump, one of “I see there is a deafening silence everywhere,” Jam- highest level”. Authorities said he entered the church “We’ll continue to make history like the most pro-gun U.S. heads of state. bon told Flemish VRT television Sunday, referring to The shooting took Sunday at the First and opened fire. He then dropped his this until we stop allowing [the National Once a strict supporter of banning as- Spain’s jailing separatist leaders and clubbing “peaceful Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Wil- weapon and fled the church after a local Rifle Association] to control our gun laws,” sault weapons, Trump’s views on gun con- people” who voted in a banned October 1 independ- son County, was carried out during the resident used his own gun to engage. The said Gavin Newsom, a Democrat and the trol have shifted so much he now takes ence referendum. 11:00am (17:00 GMT) service. suspect led police on a brief car chase lieutenant governor of California, writing pride in defending the constitutional right He accused the EU of double standards by taking le- Those who were killed ranged in age until he crashed his vehicle. on Twitter. to own arms and refuses to tighten up gal action against the right-wing governments of Poland from five to 72 years old, officials said. He was later found dead. Cory Booker, a U.S. senator from New gun regulations. and Hungary for allegedly defying democratic norms. The pastor’s 14-year-old daughter and a Police said it was unclear whether the Jersey, said: “We are not powerless to Facing questions in the wake of the Las Puigdemont, 54, insists that Catalonia earned the pregnant woman were also reported to suspect took his own life or was killed by reduce gun violence in our nation. Con- Vegas shooting, Trump reluctantly said right to declare independence following the referendum be among the victims. At least 20 others officers. gress must act.” the U.S. will “be talking about gun laws as and has described his detained colleagues as “political were injured. “As a state, we are dealing with Amanda Johnson runs the Texas time goes by.” prisoners”. “It impacts us all. We’re a family,” the largest mass shooting in our state’s branch of Moms Demand Action, an or- There was no hints towards a possible On Sunday, protesters in Catalan cities took to the said Lee Rios, a resident of Sutherland history,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. ganization that sprouted after the Sandy change of views in his response to the re- streets to demand their release. Springs. “It causes us to stop what we’re Al Jazeera’s Heidi Zhou-Castro, re- Hook shooting which aims to end gun cent church shooting either. Puigdemont said he was not convinced by guaran- doing, start to pray, and see how we porting from Texas, said fewer than 900 violence. “May God be w/ the people of Suth- tees of a fair trial back home, denouncing the “enor- can serve.” people live in Sutherland Springs. She said: “It cannot be said enough erland Springs, Texas. The FBI & law en- mous pressure and political influence on judicial power Sergeant Robert Murphy of the Gua- “The death toll makes up a startling that this is not normal. We should be forcement are on the scene. I am moni- in Spain.” dalupe County Sherrif’s office confirmed proportion of the population,” she said. able to do things like go to worship, go toring the situation from Japan,” wrote the The judge could “refuse to hand over Puigdemont if to Al Jazeera that the shooter was de- ’We are not powerless to reduce to school or go to a concert without the president, who is on a 12-day trip to Asia. there is a proven serious risk to his fundamental rights,” ceased. gun violence’ threat of gun violence. Sadly, no place in The lackluster Republican response to said Anne Weyembergh, president of the Institute of Eu- Several media outlets have named the Politicians, rights groups and social our communities is free from that threat.” the issue continued after Representative ropean Studies at the Free University of Brussels. suspect as 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kel- media users said Sunday’s shooting was Johnson explained that Texas has “seen Steve Scalise, a victim of a shooting him- She said the court would need to see evidence of ley, who was dressed in all black at the another sign America needed more gun more mass shootings since 2009 than any self, called the shooting “devastating” in criminal offences before executing the warrant. time of the attack. control. other state”. a tweet. But cases of refusal are rare, according to several He is suspected of killing 23 people The Mass Shooting Tracker watchdog Gun control laws House Speaker Paul Ryan also said the lawyers interviewed by AFP. inside the church and two outside. One has recorded at least 24 mass shootings The deadly mass shooting in a Texas shooting was “devastating.” (Source: AFP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY NOVEMBER 7, 2017

STOCK MARKET IDRO inks MOU TEDPIX 87843.7 IFX 968.09 with Gazprom Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir

CURRENCIES on energy co-op USD 40,710 rials ECONOMY TEHRAN — Indus- tory in energy and industry areas es- desk EUR 47,860 rials trial Development and pecially in executing South Pars energy Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO) projects and called the MOU “an op- GBP 54,060 rials and Russia’s energy giant Gazprom portunity” for expansion of mutual co- signed a memorandum of understand- operation in oil, gas and energy sec- AED 11,190 rials ing (MOU) for cooperation in energy tors. Source: Mehrnews.com projects. “We are ready for cooperation in all According to IDRO portal, the MOU areas,” he said. was signed by IDRO’s Chairman Man- According to the official, implement- sour Moazami, and Vitaly Markelov, ing the MOU could result in many posi- IDRO’s Chairman Mansour Moazami (R) and Gazprom’s Deputy Chairman COMMODITIES Gazprom’s deputy chairman of the tive outcomes for the involved parties Vitaly Markelov exchanging MOU documents management committee, in Tehran on and for the region. Brent $62.34/b Sunday. Markelov for his part stressed his contributing to energy projects in 26 with the MOU and called for expansion WTI $55.89/b Speaking at the signing ceremony, company’s rich background in energy different countries worldwide. of cooperation with Iran in the coun- Moazami mentioned IDRO’s long his- sector, saying that Gazprom is currently He further expressed satisfaction try’s energy projects. OPEC Basket $58.49/b Gold $1,270.55/oz Iran, Switzerland seek Maintenance services completed Silver $16.90/oz ease of banking ties at South Pars platforms Platinium $923.50/oz ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran ENERGY TEHRAN — Main- deskand Switzerland are desktenance services was Sources: Oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com opening new avenues for developing completed at the platforms of Iran’s easier banking transactions, Iranian South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf NEWS IN BRIEF Deputy Finance Minister Mohammad in a bid for stable production during Khazaei told reporters after his Sun- the coming winter. Iran day meeting with Switzerland’s Vaud Maintenance operations were con- Economics Minister Philippe Leuba in ducted at 17 platforms in the field Transportation, Tehran, Shada news agency reported. during 179 days since April 21, Pub- Logistics Forum Khazaei, who is also the managing lic Relations Department of Pars Oil held in Tehran director of Organization for Invest- and Gas Company (POGC), which is in ment, Economic and Technical Assis- charge of developing the field, report- Development phases of South Pars tance of Iran (OIETAI), explained that ed on Monday quoting Mehdi Rajabi, will be completed within one and half ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran Transportation and during this meeting the two sides dis- Switzerland’s Vaud Economics Minister production director of platform No. 1, years, POGC Managing Director Mo- deskLogistics Forum was held at IRIB Interna- cussed new easier banking solutions Philippe Leuba (L) and Iranian Deputy as saying. hammad Meshkinfam said on October tional Conference Center in Tehran on November 5 and 6, for financing Iranian projects as well. Finance Minister Mohammad Khazaei South Pars, which Iran shared with 20. IRNA reported. “We also discussed funding invest- hope that cooperation in some of Qatar in the Persian Gulf, is estimat- Meshkinfam said 85 percent of the Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi, Tehran ment projects and their insurance the named areas will be materialized ed to contain a significant amount phases are complete so far and im- Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture coverage by European companies in within a month. of natural gas, accounting for about plementation of the rest 15 percent (TCCIMA) Chairman Masoud Khansari, and European Lo- Iran,” he added. For his part, Leuba, told reports eight percent of the world’s reserves, will be finished by the next 1.5 years, gistics Association President Paolo Bisogni were among As he continued, the two minis- that “during our visit to Iran, we held and approximately 18 billion barrels of Shana news agency reported. speakers in the inaugural ceremony of the event. ters also conferred on expansion of some fruitful meetings with Iranian condensate. Completing development phases Addressing the forum, Akhoundi said putting emphasis cooperation particularly in areas of companies in order to expand eco- The field is divided into 24 stand- of South Pars is among the Oil Min- on competitive advantage is one of the main policies of his biotechnology, information technol- nomic cooperation and believe that ard phases of development in the first istry’s priorities outlined by President ministry. ogy (IT), agriculture technologies and the ground is set for boosting bilateral stage. Most of the phases are fully op- Hassan Rouhani in a decree in mid transportation. Khazaei expressed economic and industrial ties with Iran.” erational at the moment. September. 6,000 new industrial units to Rebuffed by American Airlines, Qatar Airways buys into Cathay Pacific be established by Qatar Airways has broadened its global reach by pur- different and potentially conflicting interests - Swire, chasing a 9.61 percent stake in Cathay Pacific (0293. Air China and Qatar Airways,” said Corrine Png, CEO Mar. 2018 HK), adding another strategic investor to the Hong of transport research firm Crucial Perspective. Kong carrier’s complicated share register at a time “This may not necessarily be favorable for Cathay ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian Deputy Industry when it is looking to cut costs. as it is facing operating challenges and undergoing deskMinister Reza Rahmani said the Industry Hong Kong’s Kingboard Chemical Holdings (0148. transformation.” Ministry plans to set up 6,000 new industrial units creating HK) said it had sold the stake to Qatar Airways for Swire Pacific owns 45 percent of Cathay and Air 50,000 jobs in the country by the end of current Iranian HK$5.16 billion ($661 million), making the Middle China 30 percent. Air China said on Monday that it calendar year (march 20, 2018), IRNA reported. Eastern carrier the third-largest shareholder in Cathay. viewed Qatar Airways’ purchase of the Cathay stake Mentioning production flourishing one of the main For Cathay, the Qatar stake will give it a third stra- “positively” and that it hoped the shareholders could policies of Resistance Economy, the official announced that tegic shareholder behind Swire Pacific Ltd (0019.HK) work together to find synergies. some 50 national plans have been specified in the ministry and Air China Ltd (601111.SS), potentially complicat- Will Horton, a Hong Kong-based senior analyst at that implementing them will create over 13,000 new job ing a restructuring plan aimed at slashing HK$4 billion to broaden its reach. CAPA Centre for Aviation, said that while Qatar Air- opportunities. in costs over three years. It was rebuffed by American Airlines Group Inc ways’ investment in Cathay was likely to be passive, Without domestic flights to underpin earnings, (AAL.O) earlier this year. difficulties could arise if they tried to better integrate Asian carriers Cathay and Singapore Airlines Ltd Despite Cathay’s troubles, Qatar Airways Chief their hubs. Trump says Japan’s economy (SIAL.SI) have struggled against Chinese and Middle Executive Akbar al-Baker described it as “one of the Cathay flew between Hong Kong and Qatar- Air Eastern rivals, with Cathay already shedding 600 jobs strongest airlines in the world ... with massive poten- way’s Doha hub as part of a codeshare arrangement is not ‘as good as ours’ and since May. tial for the future”. between 2014 and 2016, when the route was axed should stay that way For state-owned Qatar Airways, its first major stake Cathay shares have risen by 29.4 percent since the “for commercial reasons”. in an Asian airline will allow it to boost its global influ- start of January despite the airline in August posting Qatar Airways’ investment strategy has seen it President Donald Trump on Monday made an eyebrow- ence and potentially increase traffic through its Doha its worst first-half loss in 20 years. acquire 20 percent of British Airways-parent Inter- raising remark during a joint press conference with Japanese hub, amid the worst political crisis in years among the Shares of Cathay Pacific dropped as much as 4.7 national Consolidated Airlines Group (ICAG.L), 10 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. Persian Gulf Arab states. percent on Monday morning, as investors worried percent of South America’s LATAM Airlines Group SA Calling Abe by his first name, the Republican took a zero- The airline has been unable to fly to the previously about its direction with Qatar Airways on its registry. LTM.SN and 49 percent of Italy’s Meridiana. sum approach in comparing the Japanese and U.S econo- lucrative markets of the United Arab Emirates and The stock closed 1.5 percent lower, while the broader Investment holding company Kingboard said it mies. Saudi Arabia as part of an airspace rights dispute with market was flat. would recognize a gain of HK$800 million on the sale “The Japanese people are thriving, your cities are vibrant neighbors, and has been looking to invest elsewhere “Cathay will have three major shareholders, all with of its entire Cathay stake. (Source: Reuters) and you’ve built one of the world’s most powerful economies. I don’t know if it’s as good as ours, I think not ... And we’re Turkey’s Central Bank provides Multinationals grapple with going to try and keep it that way but you’ll be second.”Given the president’s delivery, it did not appear the insistence on liquidity to strengthen lira Republican excise tax surprise Japan’s inferiority was part of Trump’s official script. China is He Central Bank of the Republic of The Republican tax bill unveiled last week currently the world’s second-largest economy, followed by Turkey (CBRT) lowered on Monday the in the U.S. Congress could disrupt the Japan. upper limit for the foreign exchange global supply chains of large, multina- The U.S. head of state is in Asia for a landmark tour and (forex) maintenance facility in a move tional companies by slapping a 20-per- arrived in Tokyo on Nov. 5. (Source: cnbc) that will provide approximately $1.4 cent tax on cross-border transactions billion in liquidity to Turkey’s financial they routinely make between related EU firms warn of deserting system. business units. The CBRT confirmed in a statement European multinationals, some of UK suppliers after Brexit that the upper limit had been lowered which currently pay little U.S. tax on U.S. to 55 percent from 60 percent while The rediscount credits repayment profits thanks to tax treaties and- diver British exporters have been put on notice that they could all tranches were also reduced by 5 (around $5 billion) for export and for- sion of U.S. earnings to their home coun- Reuters contacted seven multination- lose billions of pounds worth of business after almost two- points. eign exchange earning services, which tries or other low-tax jurisdictions, could al companies and four industry groups. thirds of EU businesses who work with UK suppliers warned The tranches were reduced by will be due by Feb. 1 of next year, can be especially hard hit if the proposed tax None would comment directly on the they expect to use more firms inside the single market after 5 percentage points and some TL be made in Turkish liras at 3.70 for dol- becomes law, according to some tax ex- proposal, with most saying they were still Brexit. 5.3 billion ($1.372 billion) would be lars, 4.8 for euros and 4.8 for pounds, perts. studying the entire tax package. The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) withdrawn from the market after the provided they are paid at maturity, the Others said the proposal could run The proposal is part of a broad tax said 63% of the EU companies surveyed last month said they change in its reserve requirements, it bank also said. afoul of international tax treaties, the reform bill unveiled by House of Rep- planned to move some of their supply chain out of the UK said. “In case the exchange rate on the World Trade Organization and other resentatives Republicans on Thursday, as a result of the decision to leave the single market and “In the recent period, the markets date of credit extension is higher than global standards that forbid the double which promises to lower overall tax bur- customs union. The results represent a large increase on a have witnessed unsound price forma- these rates, the exchange rate on the taxation of profits if the new tax did not dens and simplify the tax code. survey in May, when 44% of EU businesses said they were tions that are inconsistent with eco- date of credit extension will be applica- account for income taxes paid in other Whether the proposed reforms ever preparing to switch. nomic fundamentals. ble,” it added. countries. become law is uncertain, with weeks and The survey of 1,118 supply chain managers in the UK and “Taking this development into ac- The Central Bank’s move comes af- The proposed tax, tucked deep in possibly months of debate and intense Europe also found that 40% of UK businesses were adopt- count, with a view to supporting price ter the Turkish Lira slipped to 3.90, a the 429-page bill backed by President lobbying still ahead. The House package ing a similar stance and had begun the search for domestic stability and financial stability, the up- historic low against the U.S. dollar, on Donald Trump, caught corporate tax overall has drawn criticism for adding suppliers to replace their EU partners, up from 31% in May. per limit and the tranches for the FX Nov. 4, amid growing expectations that strategists by surprise and sent them too much to the federal budget deficit The findings will boost remainers’ arguments that the cost of (forex) maintenance facility within the the Federal Reserve will raise interest scrambling to understand its dynamics and too heavily favoring the rich and big Brexit will be a steep decline in trade with the single market. reserve options mechanism has been rates next month and tighten further in and goals, as well as whether Congress business. (Source: The Guardian) revised.” 2018. (Source: Daily Sabah) is likely ever to vote on it. (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 7, 2017 ENERGY 5 Oil rises to highest since mid-2015 OPEC is already thinking on Saudi purge, tighter markets about $70 oil By Julian Lee

Oil prices hit their highest since July 2015 throughout the whole of 2018. As recently as OPEC’s last meeting, back in May, several oil on Monday as Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Also boosting oil prices, U.S. energy ministers were talking quite casually about $50 a barrel as cemented his power over the weekend companies cut eight oil rigs last week, to a good price for crude. Don’t expect that to be repeated through an anti-corruption crackdown, 729, in the biggest reduction since May when they convene again at the end of this month. In fact, while markets continued to tighten. 2016. expect quite the opposite. As oil has risen, OPEC ministers’ Brent crude futures were trading 26 While supplies are tightening, analysts assessments of a “fair price” for their crude have probably cents higher at $62.33 a barrel by 1012 say demand remains strong. increased too, and that could put them at odds with their GMT, after hitting a session peak of “Synchronous global economic growth chief non-OPEC partner: Russia. $62.90, a 28-month high. and new supply disruptions are creating Brent rebound U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) the most constructive oil price environ- OPEC has form on this creeping assessment of a fair crude rose 25 cents to $55.89 a barrel, ment since ... 2014,” Barclays bank said. price for oil. The right price always seems to be a little breaking above $56 for the first time The bank raised its forecast for the av- higher than the current price, no matter what that might since July 2015. erage Brent price in the fourth quarter of be. That was true in the 1990s, when oil cost about $20 a Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin this year by $6 to $60 a barrel, and its full- barrel. It was true too in early 2008, shortly before Brent Salman tightened his grip with the arrest year 2018 forecast by $3 to $55 a barrel. peaked near $150 a barrel. With hindsight, some in OPEC of royals, ministers and investors includ- Speculators have also increased to accepted that oil above $100 was abnormal. Secretary ing prominent billionaire Alwaleed bin Ta- a record high their bets on gains in the General Mohammad Barkindo wrote in July 2016 that the lal and the powerful head of the National price of Brent. “skyrocketing of prices” in 2008 was “unsustainable” and Guard, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah. ICE commitment-of-traders data probably harmful to the world’s economy. And while no- Analysts for now do not see Saudi showed money managers had increased body in OPEC is yet talking about $100 as a fair price, Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, their net long holdings of Brent crude fu- you can bet that nobody will be talking about $50 either. changing its policy of boosting crude tures and options by 23,500 contracts to There’s nothing wrong with aspiration, but it seems the prices. “We believe the kingdom will stick to a production-cutting deal between the 530,237. lessons of the recent past are rapidly being forgotten. Prince Mohammed’s reforms include the OPEC+ deal and continue to focus Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Money managers raised their net long OPEC’s greed in trying to keep oil prices above $100 a a plan to list parts of state-owned oil on reducing global oil inventories,” UBS Countries and other producers led by commitments on WTI by 63,072 con- barrel after 2011 played a big part in the U.S. shale boom company Saudi Aramco next year, and a oil analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. Russia, the “job is not done yet”. tracts to 343,705 over the same period, a and subsequent price crash in 2014.Slipping back into tar- higher oil price is seen as beneficial for its Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih OPEC is expected to extend a cut more than six-month high. geting an ever-higher price risks unleashing another un- market capitalization. said that while there is “satisfaction” with of around 1.8 million barrels per day (Source: Reuters) sustainable production boom. True, U.S. shale oil output this year hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations of the World’s biggest solar plant on India’s renewable capacity Energy Information Administration. But that doesn’t mean shale’s played out. The effect of weakening oil prices into track to start in 2019 set to double by 2022 the summer and Hurricane Harvey’s passage through Tex- as cannot be dismissed. The world’s biggest photovoltaic solar solar power prices to fall even more, he If there’s one success story being written ity would more than double by 2022, Shale slowdown plant is set to start operating by April said. in India, it’s that of renewable energy. which would be enough to overtake Rising oil prices will allow shale-focused companies to 2019, a managing director of China’s Saudi Arabia has received the world’s By the government’s own reckon- renewable expansion in the European ramp up operations, even as they target improved share- Jinko Solar Holding Co. said. cheapest offer for supply of solar power. ing, despite India’s energy needs likely Union for the first time. holder returns. The EIA expects average U.S. lower-48 oil The 1.2-gigawatt project in Abu Dhabi Electricite de France SA and Abu Dhabi’s to double over the next seven years India’s present-day renewable ener- production to increase by 620,000 barrels a day next year. is “well on track and on schedule,” Moth- Masdar made a joint bid to provide elec- (going by the current rate of economic gy installed capacity is about 59 GW. That’s likely to rise if oil prices continue upward. ana Qteishat, Jinko Solar’s managing tricity for as little as 1.79 cents a kilowatt growth), the nation is likely to meet two- “By 2022, India’s renewable capacity The risk is that OPEC’s rediscovered optimism encourag- director for project development in the hour, the Saudi energy ministry said in fifths of its electricity needs with renew- will more than double. This growth is es members to pursue ever-higher prices again, justifying Middle East and North Africa, said at the October. able sources by 2030. enough to overtake renewable expan- each increase as a move toward that magical “fair price”. Routes to China Summit organized by A combination of improving and less Power and Renewable Energy Minis- sion in the European Union for the first It’s starting to happen already. At the end of October, Qa- Bloomberg LP and sponsored by HSBC costly technology, free land earmarked ter R K Singh told reporters recently that time,” IEA said in its latest renewables tar’s oil minister said prices were moving in the “right di- Holdings Plc. The project is being devel- for the plants, connections to national the efficiency of solar panels itself had market analysis and forecast. rection” toward fair levels, even as Brent passed $60. What oped by Jinko Solar and Japan’s Marube- power grids and favorable financing have already reached 30 percent, and prices The IEA added that the solar pho- that new fair level is, he didn’t specify, but his Venezuelan ni Corp., with each company holding a 20 helped cut the costs. were likely to reduce due to an increase tovoltaic (PV) and wind together rep- counterpart last year pegged it as $70 a barrel, while Iraq percent share, he said. Nations are investing in solar and in usage. resented 90 percent of India’s capacity suggested $70-80.The aspirations of some OPEC countries Government-owned Abu Dhabi Water wind energy to cut down on pollution The government’s stipulated target growth, as auctions yielded some of the may clash with their chief external supporter, Russia. Mos- & Electricity Authority received a then re- from fossil fuels and to take advantage of is of 175 Gigawatt (GW) of renewable world’s lowest prices for both technol- cow is worried about letting prices rise too far, even sug- cord-low bid of 2.42 cents a kilowatt-hour reduced costs. In the Middle East, there generation by 2022, which includes 100 ogies. gesting that $60 would be enough to justify ditching the for power from the planned facility. Prices is the added incentive to produce more GW of solar and 60 GW of wind gener- India needs an investment of around output agreement. Its oil minister said Thursday that OPEC for solar projects in the Middle East have alternative energy for domestic use and ation, up from the current total renewa- $100 billion to meet the target of 175 GW and its partners still have five months to decide whether set successive records with first Dubai export more crude oil. Saudi Arabia plans ble energy generation capacity of about of renewable energy capacity by 2022. to extend the deal and that any extension must be justified and then Abu Dhabi coming in with all- to develop 30 solar and wind projects 59 GW (with wind already now at about As of now, China was the undisputed by market conditions closer to the time. Russian reluctance time low power pricing. over the next 10 years as part of a $50 33 GW). leader of renewable electricity capacity to buy into OPEC’s fair price dreams may yet undermine “What we have done will attract other billion program to boost power genera- What’s more, a report this month by expansion over the forecast period, with the remarkable cohesion among the countries seeking to Chinese investors” to the region, Qteishat tion. the International Energy Agency (IEA) over 360 GW of capacity coming online. re-balance the oil market. said in an interview. There is room for (Source: Bloomberg) said India’s renewable energy capac- (Source: oilprice.com) (Source: Bloomberg) Shell looks beyond road fuels to secure future of refining While the world braces for the electric-vehicle revolution, Royal Dutch Shell is betting on growing appetite for asphalt and plastics to sustain its century-old oil refining business for the coming decades. N.I.O.C National Iranian Converting crude oil into products ranging from gaso- First Announcement 1396.3560 Drilling Company line to industrial chemicals has long faced obstacles due to volatile profits, high costs, safety issues and pollution and more recently, forecasts of peaking demand for oil. But refining, together with trading, marketing and chem- icals - known together as downstream - has proved its im- portance during the oil industry’s downturn since 2014, providing the bulk of Shell’s profits as the price of crude collapsed. Shell has in recent years transformed its downstream refineries risk closure by 2035 if those targets are met. business by selling some plants and upgrading others to Just as some countries such as China and India contem- have them better resist oil price fluctuations and shifts in plate banning gasoline and diesel vehicles, rules to limit demand, delivering double-digit returns on capital em- consumption of plastics such as bottles and bags could ployed. dampen demand, analysts said. “Refining will continue to be part of our portfolio for “Regulation is one of the biggest risks to the business,” Brief discription of subject: decades to come,” said Shell’s head of manufacturing Lori National Iranian Drilling Company(NIDC) address pasdaran Blev., Airport Saqare, Ahvaz, Iran hereby intends to purchase its requirements said Jason Kenney, head of European oil and gas equity re- from qualified and interested tenderers through one-stage public tender (compressed) upon following terms and conditions: Ryerkerk, who is in charge of refining. search at Banco Santander. A) Qualitative evaluation of tenderer: Shell is perhaps the most aggressive in its sector in fore- Overcapacity is another danger as other companies The evaluation is based on article ( J ) implementing regulations of the law of tenders and also carried out base on worksheets qualitative casting that the demand for gasoline could reach an apex including Exxon Mobil and France’s Total also expand into evaluation inquiry in the tender doucments. Minimum acceptable point of quality is 60. by the 2030s as drivers shift to electric vehicles and tradi- petrochemicals. B) Preparation of tender documents: tional engines become more efficient. “Shell currently offers double-digit returns on capital Purchasing of documents: But still, Shell says, the continued expansion of the world’s employed from downstream and chemicals. But then you In order to receive the tender documents, 510,000 Rials should be paid to SIBA account number 2174652205004 of NIDC in Bank Meli economy, particularly in Asia, means consumption of other could have a flood of capacity and it will be a difficult sector Iran and providing the original deposit receipt. refined oil products and petrochemicals is likely to grow. to remain competitive for decades,” Kenney said. Reciving of documents: For instance, there are no economically viable substi- Tenderers must be obtain the quality evaluation documents along with tender documents maximum ten days after the date of second Even when demand starts to fall, Shell says its refining publication in person at the following address: Hall No.:113, 1thfloor, Foreign tutes for asphalt, needed to build roads, or for the polymers arm will have an edge over many competitors thanks to the Procurement Dept., National Iranian Drilling Company, Airport square, Ahwaz, IRAN and chemicals used to produce plastics for cars, toys and company’s access to its own, cheaper crude and complex Notice: Only the real or legal persons who apply to purchase and recieve tender ducments from foreign procurment department in due date clothes, Ryerkerk said. trading operations that curb its vulnerability to fluctuating and participates in tenderwill be known as tenderer from tender committee. “While the peak demand for our products will come, it oil prices. C) Delivery of envelopes of bids and call quality evaluating: won’t come in decades. There are still many products that It has 43,000 petrol stations in 70 countries, making Shell Tenderers shall submit simultaneuosly envelopes of bids including bank guarantees(A), financial offer(C) and stamped and signed of we make for which there is no other alternative at the mo- the world’s largest fuel retailer. Shell recently introduced tender ducuments(B) along with qualificaion worksheets in form of software in CD and documentary within 40 days from last day of ment – heavy transport, industrial applications that require battery charging spots at a number of stations in Britain and document recived deadline to the following address: Hall No.:107, 1thfloor ,Tender Committee, Building operations, National Iranian high heat.” plans to develop hydrogen fuelling stations in Germany. Drilling Company, Airport square, Ahwaz, IRAN. The Anglo-Dutch company plans to double the size of Notice: The deadline for the refusal of bidders participation in the the tender is the last day of determined for submission of bids. Shell also supplies 11 percent of the world’s lubricants D) Tender Guarantee: its chemicals business by the middle of the next decade with needed in cars, trucks and heavy industrial machinery. It has Type of guarantee: several new plants including in Louisiana and Pennsylva- one of the world’s largest aviation fuel businesses, fuelling a A)Bank guarantees or guarantees issued by non-bank institutions that have activites licensed by the Central nia that benefit from access to cheap shale gas, said Shell’s plane every 40 seconds. Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. head of chemicals, Graham van’t Hoff. “Downstream is a highly resilient business. It is pretty in- B) The original cash deposit receipt paid to National Iranain Drilling Company. It also wants 20 percent of sales from its fuel stations dependent to changes in crude price,” said John Abbott, Duration of credit guarantee & quotation: worldwide to come from recharging electric vehicles and head of Shell’s downstream business. This duration should be valid for 90 days and extendable maximum For one time in initial credit amount. low-carbon fuels by 2025. “We have a competitive edge going into the energy More on this & other tenders is accessible by click on. WWW.NIDC.IR The oil sector’s outlook for growth in demand for oil transition,” Abbott said. and plastics could prove wrong if governments around the Shell has interests in more than 20 refineries and pro- Foreign Procurement Dept National Iranian Drilling Company world introduce regulations to reduce fossil fuel consump- cessed around 2.6 million barrels of oil per day in 2016, تهران تایمز : نوبت اول 15/08/96نوبت دومtion in their fight against pollution and global warming. A while its 15 petrochemical plants processed 6.2 million 96/08/16 study published last week said a quarter of the world’s oil tonnes last year. (Source: Reuters) ADVERTISEMENTS

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL NOVEMBER 7, 2017

Why America’s relationship Iran self-sufficiency rooted in with Asia has shifted so rapidly sanctions: Amal Movement rep. By Zahra Khezri able to do since the Islamic Revolution in ARTICAL Iran in 1979? Salah Fahs, the representative of the Leb- By Nina Hachigian In 1979, the U.S. targeted Iran in a anese Amal Movement in Tehran, believes failed attempt to liberate American hos- U.S. ex-ambassador to ASEAN that Saddam Hussein’s war against Iran in tages, but its helicopter crashed in the (2017-2014) the 1980s - known as the imposed war - Iranian desert near Tabas. America and and the United States’ sanctions against Israel CAN DO NOTHING about Iran. Iran are the sources of Iran’s strength to- The maximum penalties they could Our city is an eastern capital of the Pacific Rim, and home day in the region. impose on Iran, were sanctions. In our to many Asian-American communities, including the largest “In my opinion, two barriers have view, sanctions have failed to achieve number of Koreans living outside of South Korea. Asian made Iran strong. First is the imposed war their intended result, thanks to Iran’s investment is reshaping our skyline, and tourists from China (Iran–Iraq War 1980-88), and the second Supreme Leadership, administration, are the fastest growing group. is the sanctions. The two impediments and the nation. Iran was able to pull On the eve of President Trump’s first trip to Asia, it is clear led Iran to industrial self- sufficiency” Fahs out the nuclear deal “out of the lion’s that our country’s relationship with that region is shifting told the Tehran Times journalist at the mouth”. If America wants to stand rapidly. This White House does not appear interested in Tehran press exhibition. against the JCPOA, be it. Nothing good fulfilling America’s traditional role as the most influential Following is the full text of the inter- will come out of it. economic, security and political leader in Asia, and China is view. In my opinion, two barriers made Iran intent on becoming exactly that. What’s the latest on the mysterious strong. First, is the imposed war (1980-88 disappearance of Imam Musa al-Sadr? Iran–Iraq War) and the second is sanc- A. Imam Musa al-Sadr, the leader of tions. The two impediments led Iran to Lebanon’s Shia Muslims, disappeared, industrial self-sufficiency. along with two companions, in the sum- The U.S. has introduced a trade em- mer of 1978 during an official visit to the bargo against Iran which set the way for Libyan capital Tripoli. the country to be where it is today. Take Hannibal Gaddafi, the son of the Liby- In our view, sanctions have failed to the Philippines for example. The coun- an dictator, is currently in custody in Leb- achieve their intended result, thanks to try sided with the U.S., and see what it anon, facing charges allegedly for with- gained. Or in Egypt, for instance, people holding information regarding Imam’s Iran’s Supreme Leadership, government would have died of hunger, had the U.S. case, although he has agreed to release administration, and the nation. ceased importing its wheat to the North information under the condition to go African country. free with total impunity. the international Court of Justice (ICJ) as Lebanese border. Despite the sanctions, Iran is well- We strongly believe that the prominent their policy was not in conformity with So rest assured, if the golden triangle developed and has gained power in the Lebanese Shia leader Imam Musa al-Sadr the Imam’s. power didn’t exist, ISIS would be in Bei- U.S. President Donald Trump (C), Japanese Prime region and NO ONE can deny it. Iranian is still alive. A fact-finding committee has The way I see it, we are all at fault rut by now. So, yes, we have safety in the Minister Shinzo Abe (R) and South Korean President president has also said that Iran is a rec- been established to inquire about Imam, when it comes to this prominent resist- country. Moon Jae-in on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in ognized and respected country in the re- however, the assembly has never been ance movement leader, and we need col- In terms of economy, the country Hamburg, Germany, July 6, 2017. gion. If the imposed war had not broken able to visit Libya because of the ongoing lective efforts to discover the cleric’s fate. shows growth. out, Iran’s military wouldn’t have been so To ensure that after years of war in the Middle East, political instability and armed conflicts in How do you assess the status quo in And in terms of political stability, we strong today. America would continue to benefit by close ties to the the North African country. Lebanon following the ISIS defeat? are going to hold a parliamentary elec- As they say necessity is the mother of most populous and economically dynamic region in the Imam’s case could not be brought to A. Imam Ali says we take a couple of tion in May, 2018. Therefore, we believe invention. world, the Obama Administration pursued a “rebalance” blessings for granted: health and safety. that the resistance, army and the public to Asia strategy. The Administration created a post I held: If America wants to Relatively speaking and compared to support all have contributed in safe- Despite the sanctions, Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations other nations, Lebanon is still pretty se- guarding the country. (ASEAN). It also broadened our complex relationship with stand against the cure. The Lebanese Hezbollah resist- How do you perceive the U.S.-Israel Iran is well-developed China, including by reaching a groundbreaking climate deal JCPOA, be it. Nothing ance movement, Lebanese army, and threats against Iran and their efforts to kill and has gained power in and deepened our ties to allies in region, like Japan, South good will come out the people constitute a “golden triangle” the JCPOA? the region and NO ONE A. I can say who sounds warning does Korea, and Australia. America also participated for the first of it. that enabled Lebanese to defeat ISIS (the can deny it. time in the East Asia Summit, an annual meeting that brings Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) on Syrian- nothing. What has the United States been together leaders of the ten ASEAN countries plus China, Japan, South Korea, India, Russia and others. Not far from here, we hosted a summit of ASEAN leaders for the first time. Understanding that to be a leader in Asia, and to get the Who is Alwaleed bin Talal, the absurdly rich prince at the center of best economic value for America, we needed an inclusive, positive economic vision, the Obama Administration negotiated the 11 country Trans Pacific Partnership. In the the Saudi corruption purge? region, its conclusion was seen as evidence of America’s By Avi Selk dancing, laughing, joking dwarfs,” the outlet reported in commitment and its ability to accomplish Herculean tasks. 2012. “One source called them ‘jesters.’ ” Today, while the North Korea threat is a clear priority, the Even if you didn’t know much about Saudi Prince Alwaleed Not only did the prince hold occasional “midget- overall U.S. strategy for Asia is murky — in part because bin Talal before his arrest on Saturday — in what was either tossing” contests with these people, Business Insider the Administration has not hired a permanent Assistant an anti-corruption purge or a political crackdown — you’re wrote, but once invited his “jesters” to a business Secretary of State for the Asia-Pacific. Nor has it named a almost certainly acquainted with his money. meeting, where he taught them the words “Boeing” and nominee for Ambassador to ASEAN. For his part, Secretary The biography on Alwaleed’s personal website consists “Airbus” and had them decide which type of plane he of State Rex Tillerson has called for dramatic cuts to State’s of a single sentence about his background (born 1955; should add to his personal fleet. budget and less emphasis on political freedoms and other grandson of the first king of Saudi Arabia), followed by a In the face of such bizarre accusations, Alwaleed has American values in our diplomacy. Foreign service officers dense page crammed with details of his wealth and power: made great demonstrations of his concern for human are leaving in droves. Holdings in Twitter, Lyft, Euro Disney and Twentieth rights — especially among the poor and women. America’s diminished interest Century Fox; luxury hotels across the world; a tower under “Can you believe this? It’s horrible,” he told Forbes while President Trump is not attending the East Asia Summit. construction in Saudi Arabia that will soon be the world’s handing out cash-stuffed envelopes in a Riyadh slum. The Unfortunately, no matter how great his success at other tallest building. Or his opulent palace, where Business same article noted that women who work for Alwaleed’s stops on his Asia journey, this will be read by many as Insider once reported the prince kept “a group of dancing, offices are discouraged from wearing the veils they’re evidence of America’s diminished interest or capacity. The laughing, joking dwarfs” in his entourage, occasionally Power in Saudi Arabia has long forced to wear in public. Administration also rejected the Trans Pacific Partnership tossing them around as sport like human shot puts. Condemning autocratic Arab nations in favor of bilateral trade agreements — but partners are That last part isn’t in the official biography. And it passed between the sons of the The prince wrote an op-ed for the New York not lining up. Meanwhile, the every five year Party Congress would be a shame if all you knew about Alwaleed was his founding king, Forbes wrote in Times during the “Arab Spring” revolutions, condemning that concluded last week left no doubt that China intends to wealth, because the personality behind those billions of 2009. But the line of succession autocratic Arab nations led by those who “serve special assume a leadership role in Asia, and globally. dollars sounds no less extraordinary. and self-serving interests” and embracing his father’s Beijing is far along in these efforts. Together with It’s true that Alwaleed descends from King Abdulaziz has become complicated as criticism of Saudi Arabia’s autocracy. every country in Asia, China is negotiating the Regional al-Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia, which the Saud that generation nears the end And two years ago, following in the footsteps of Western Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), an family has controlled ever since. But the website of its life span. billionaires like Bill Gates, Alwaleed promised to give away agreement to link ASEAN’s trade partners to each other. biography doesn’t mention what Vanity Fair will tell you: his entire $3