Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 12
By Fatih Karimov - Trend: Iran will invest millions of dollars to equip northern and southern ports of the country.
Abdolkarim Razazan, an official with Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization, said $207 million will be used to provide equipment for Shahid Rajaee Port and approximately $60 million will be used to provide equipment for Chabahar Port in southern part of the country, Iran's Fars news agency reported on Jan. 12.
Moreover, one trillion rials (about $30 million) will be used to provide equipment for northern ports of the country, he noted.
Regarding the development of Shahid Rajaee Port, he said that necessary infrastructures have been established. Once the necessary equipments are installed, the port's shipment capacity will reach 6 million TEUs, he added.
We are planning to announce a tender in the near future for attracting foreign investment, he said.
India plans to sign an agreement with Iran for the development of Chabahar port and New Delhi intends to lease two berths at Chabahar for 10 years.
An Indian company will invest $85.21 million in one year to convert the berths into a container terminal and a multi-purpose cargo terminal.
The port of Chabahar in southeast Iran is central to India's efforts to circumvent Pakistan and open up a route to landlocked Afghanistan where it has developed close security ties and economic interests.
Edited by CN