Monday 21 May 2012

The Latest from Iran (21 May): A Freudian Slip on the Economy

Minister of Economy Shamseddin Hosseini0427 GMT: Nuclear Watch. Today's story to monitor is the visit of International Atomic Energy Agency head Yukiya Amano and two of his top officials to Tehran.

Amano's talks with Iranian officials come two days before Tehran sits down in Baghdad for formal discussions with the 5+1 Powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany) on Iran's nuclear programme. Equally important, it comes after a week after technical conversations between the IAEA and an Iranian delegation that appear to have gone well.

Watch for the tone of the general "spin" that comes out today --- references to good discussions indicate the possibility of a similar outcome on Wednesday. And look for any details that might emerge of how the IAEA would support a deal on uranium enrichment through inspection and safeguards of Iran's facilities.

0415 GMT: We begin this morning with a "Freudian slip" --- "an unintentional error revealing subconscious feelings" --- from State news outlet Press TV, which has a press release from Minister of Economy Shamseddin Hosseini:

 

The Iranian minister of economic affairs and finance says Iran attracted some USD 4.3 billion in foreign investment during the past Iranian calendar year (ended March 19, 2012).


Shamseddin Hosseini said that, according to statistics, foreign investment in the country grew from USD 1.8 billion five years ago to USD 4.3 billion last year, demonstrating an increase of 140 percent, Mehr news agency reported. 

The minister added that a total of USD 2 billion in foreign investment was approved for 18 projects in the country in the first two months of the current year (started March 20, 2012), indicating a 120-percent rise, compared to the amount for the same period last year. 

He went on to say that investment service centers have been established in 31 provinces in Iran to boost foreign investment. 

Hosseini further pointed out that about 20 percent of the assets of the National Development Fund (almost USD 8 billion) can be used along with the foreign investment to boost national growth and development. 

The Freudian slip? On the homepage for its Iran section, Press TV headlines, "Foreign Investment tops $4.3 in Iran

 


from EA WorldView: EA Iran

Posted via email from lissping

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