Iran Shipping Line Wins Security Certificate

TEHRAN (PIN) - The British Lloyds has awarded Iran's shipping line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISSC), the Public Relations Department of the company announced.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) obliges the ships to install security system for vessels.
Iran's shipping line has also won the Swiss BID quality certificate because of its brilliant record among 160 countries.
Seaport authorities, port facility operators, and shipping companies are all facing a stringent new international security regulation, the International Port Facility and Security (ISPS) Code, which comes into effect on 1 July 2004. In particular, they must perform vulnerability assessments and subsequently implement adequate safeguards against terrorism and crime, or risk heavy sanctions by other governments including the barring of ships arriving from non-compliant ports.
The UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the ISPS Code in December 2002.
Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line has received the certificate in presence of prominent trade officials for "quality and innovation".
Iran's shipping line contested companies from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Greece, Australia, Portugal, Malaysia, Argentina, South Korea, the Philippines, India, Romania, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Brazil.

Iran's Pistachio Revenues Rise By 49.5 Percent

TEHRAN (MNA) -Iran's revenue
from pistachio exports rose by 49.5 percent in the first two months of the current Iranian year (beginning March 20, 2004) compared to the same period last year.
Deputy Minister of Agricultural Jihad Mohammad-Ali Tahmasebi told IRNA that revenues from Iranian pistachio exports stood at 92 million dollars in the first two months of Iranian year 1383.
Tahmasebi said pistachio export volume rose by 19 percent, standing at 21,347 tons in the study period.
Ruling out reports that Iran's pistachio exports had been blocked by the European Union, he explained the EU had only called on Iran to take measures to lower the percentage of Aflatoxin in its pistachio consignments.
An Iranian delegation recently traveled to Europe to hold talks on the quality of Iranian pistachio exports.

Iran Reduces Tariffs on Imported Cars to 147%

Minister of Mines and Metals Eshaq Jahangiri said here Wednesday that the Majlis commission has approved 147 percent tariffs on imported cars, IRNA reported, Speaking at inauguration of a truck assembly line in 'Bahman automobile group,' he added that the Ministry's proposal was to reduce tariffs rates from 170 percent to 130 percent "which is indicative of the confidence the ministry places in domestic automobile manufacturers capabilities."
He also expressed confidence that there would be no problems for domestic producers saying that the price of automobile has stayed constant or has actually dropped in the past three years.
He also expressed hope that one million automobiles will be manufactured in the next Iranian year (starts March 20). The number of truck and mini-trucks production has also risen 19 percent in the past 11 months compared to the same period last year, Jahangiri said.
Jahangiri said that with the 30 percent growth, the automobile industry registered the highest growth rate among all the sectors in the economy last year.
He added that the sector will play a pivotal role in the country's industrialization drive.
He said the outcome of the right policies, including increased attention to quality, price, after-sale services, competitiveness as well as schemes to enter into joint production with foreign automobile and parts manufacturers are beginning to pay dividends.
"There are about 2,000 parts manufacturers in the country and the number of automobile produced will increase from the 500,000 units last year to over 700,000 units this year."
The industry employs about 500,000 people, jahangiri said adding that the companies in addition to removing technical defects are striving to compete in international markets.
Meanwhile, The state-affiliated Organization for Optimizing Fuel Consumption said here Tuesday that the old-model 'Paykan' with 145,000 or 31 percent share of the total production ranked first in the number of cars manufactured in the country last year.
It added the total number of Paykans, initially produced in 1998, plying the roads are 1.722 million.

Iran Among Major Shipbuilder in 10 Years

Iran will be among the world's top shipbuilders within next 10 years as a result of new policies and credit facilities considered for domestic shipbuilders by the government and industrial Development and Renovation Organization.
The managing director of the National Iranian Tanker Company, Mohammad Soori, told Petroenergy Information Network that based on new policies up to 90 percent of a ship's reserve fund as loans and the remaining 10 percent would be undertaken by shipyards.
Mohammad Soori stated that the loan will be repaid at a 3 percent interest rate during 12 years for amortization of the principal.
The official noted that the cost of building LNG ships was very high, adding, "The time for; 2 years for building the ship and 10 years repayment of loans on LNG ships should be considered 23 years."
The managing director of the National Iranian Tanker company stated that three domestic shipyards had created 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.
" Development of shipbuilding industry will lead to development of other industries including generators, cranes as well as discharge pumps," he said.

The Camera Phone Backlash

The booming popularity of camera phones which can snap and instantly send photos - and, with some models, short video clips - have piqued fears about workplace security.
The prospect of sensitive information being snapped and sent to other phones, copied to websites or e-mailed to others has prompted the likes of Intel, the phone marker Samsung, the UK's Foreign Office and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories in the United States to go as far as banning camera phones from their buildings.
At previews for popular films, reviewers are being asked to leave such gadgets behind, to prevent unauthorized stills being leaked before the release date.
Now Sprint, the US phone operator, and the handheld Pc manufacturer PalmOne - keen to cater to deep-pocketed clients concerned about industrial espionage - have released a camera-less version of the best-selling Treo 600 smartphone.
Although convictions for the misuse of camera phones have so far involved invasion of privacy rather than corporate espionage, those with secrets worth stealing worry that it is a matter of if, not when.
Tim Donahue, of Sprint, says those in the fields of finance, government, hi-tech manufacturing, and research and development are most concerned. They're just scared to death someone might take a photo-graph of something.

Sainsbury chairman standing down

Sainsbury's has confirmed that its chairman Sir Peter Davis is to stand down with immediate effect.
He is believed to be leaving due to pressure from some large institutional shareholders, unhappy at his £2.4m bonus for the 2003/04 financial year.
Sainsbury's also warned its profits for the current 2004/05 year would be "significantly below" expectations.
Shares tumbled 8.7% despite former Lloyds TSB director Philip Hampton being named as the new chairman.
Mr Hampton, 50, will have to work hard to help the company regain ground lost to Tesco and Asda.
Sainsbury's reported a 2.9% fall in annual profits back in May
Profit warning
Sir Peter's resignation is believed to have followed an emergency board meeting on Wednesday night, following shareholder anger that he had decided to pocket the £2.4m bonus at the same time as sales and profits ebb away.
He only became Sainsbury's chairman three months ago, having been group chief executive for four years.
Prior to that the 62-year-old was group chief executive of Prudential from 1995.
He previously worked for J Sainsbury for 10 years from 1976 as assistant managing director responsible for buying and marketing operations.
Sainsbury's thanked Sir Peter for "all his hard work on behalf of the company".
It said it had not been possible to reach agreement in talks with Sir Peter over potential changes to his bonus package.
"It was mutually decided that this matter would be referred to legal representatives of both parties as part of his termination arrangements," the company said.
It said the financial skills of Mr Hampton, former finance director at Lloyds TSB, and the proven retailing talent of chief executive Justin King were a powerful combination that could take the group forward.
Continuing efforts
Over the past few years Sainsbury's has continually lost ground to its main supermarket rivals.
Previously the number two supermarket in terms of market share behind Tesco, it has since been pushed into third place by Asda.
And while Tesco and Asda have reported ever-rising sales and profits, Sainsbury's has continued to see both decline.
For the current first quarter Sainsbury's said total sales were up 1.9%, thanks to strong petrol sales.
It added that customers were already seeing the benefits of moves to lower prices and improve product availability.
Yet judging by its latest profit warning, there is much work still to be done.

Billionaire Soros Banking On A Bush Loss

NEW YORK (AP) - George Soros' dream is President Bush losing in November - and so far, the billionaire philanthropist has donated nearly $13 million to independent groups that also want t01urn that vision into reality. "I'm merely putting my money where my mouth is," Soros told The Associated Press.
After surviving the Nazi occupation of his native Hungary and giving away billions of his self-made fortune to charitable causes, Soros is entering national politics In a big way for the first time.
He says he is too disturbed by Bush's policies to do nothing.
"This is not a normal election. These are not normal times," Soros said.
The Bush administration, he said, has flouted past rules of international relations by declaring war in Iraq after 1he Sept. 11.2001, terrorist attacks. He urged Americans to defeat the "Bush doctrine" by ousting the president on Nov.2.

"If we re-elect President Bush, endorsing that doctrine and we have the consequences," Soros said.
To that end, Sorbs has given millions to three liberal-Ieaning organizations that also want to a Bush defeat: $10 million to America Coming Together, which aims to mobilize voters; $2.5 million to the MoveOn.org voters' fund, which places anti-Bush advertising; and $300,000 Campaign for America's Future.
He also has pledged $3 million to the Center for American Progress, a think tank Jed by John Podesta, chief of staff to President Clinton.
This election year, Soros has spent about $4 million, more than any other individual, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit Washington-based group that tracks political donations.
In recent speeches, Soros has referred to the Bush administration's anti-terrorism polices as a doctrine that has changed Americans from "victims to perpetrators". He says the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq has claimed more lives than 1he Sept. 11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington and a Pennsylvania field.
Democrats praise him as an inspiration to disaffected voters.
"He is helping to finance the fullest grass-roots campaign the Democrats have ever had in a presidential election," said Democratic strategist Mandy Grunwald.
To Republicans, he is a huge target. A Republican National Committee memo to congressional Republicans called Soros an "out of touch, left-wing radical pushing an extremist agenda on America.

Centrica agrees sale of AA

The Automobile Association (AA) has been sold by energy group Centrica for £1.75bn to two private equity firms. The roadside recovery business has been bought by a company formed by CVC Capital Partners and Permira. Centrica - which owns British Gas - said last month it was in talks to sell the AA as it wanted to focus on its main utilities businesses. The sale price was higher than the £1.5bn analysts had expected. Centrica paid £1.1bn for the AA in 1999.

Chambers News

IBCCIM News

Wales Trade and Investment Mission In Iran Chamber

Wales Trade and investment Mission consisting of 11 representatives, arrived in Iran on 29th May 2004. The members of the Mission met IBCCIM members on the next day, and the mutual trade and investment expansion were discussed. While welcoming the Wales Mission to Iran, Mrs. Zahra Naghavi, Board member of IBCCIM requested the head of the Mission to chair the meeting and invited them for annual IBCCIM ceremony.
The Mission left Iran on 2nd June 2004.

Holding The Board Meetings

Regular meetings of IBCCIM Board of Directors were held during the first quarter of current year, attended by the majority of members. In the meetings, the activities of secretariat, commissions and future programs of the Chamber were discussed and necessary decisions were taken.

Holding The IBCCIM Specialized Commissions Meetings

During the first quarter of current year, the meetings of the IBCCIM specialized commissions including Training and Information ,Commerce , Investment and cooperation Facilitation were regularly held.
In the meetings, The current year programs of the commissions on the expansion of mutual relations between The two countries were discussed and approved.

British Embassy appointed Neil A. Wilson as new Deputy Commercial Section

Mr. Steven Smith, The second secretary and deputy of the British Embassy, Commercial Section left Iran upon the termination of his tenure. His post is taken up by Mr. Neil Andrew Wilson, early in July.
IBCCIM wish him success in his new position for expanding the trade and investment relation between the two countries.

HSBC Diner Banquet

At the diner banquet which was held from the International Bank Agency Office HSBC in the honor of Lord Lamont the president of BICC and accompanying bodies arrival, at Melal Hotel on Tuesday 1.6.2004. H. E. Mr. Khamoushi the president of BICC and ICCIM, H. E. Mr. Richard Dalton the British Ambassador to Tehran, Mr. Greame Thomas the commercial attaché to British Embassy at Tehran, the Board members of BICC and delegations of British magnificent Companies were present.

At the beginning Dr. Naser Homapour while welcoming the guests, made a short speech in regard with the absorption of foreign investment.