Iran’s exports of handicrafts in the 11 months of the past fiscal year to February 19 amounted to $427 million, said the deputy cultural heritage, handicraft and tourism minister.

Pouya Mahmoudian added that of the total amount, some $237 million accounted for official exports, and the remaining $190 million belong to the suitcase trade.

According to the available data, the figure shows a 13.3% and 8% growth in terms of value and volume, respectively, compared with the corresponding period of the year before.

Noting that the country had set a $440-million goal for last fiscal’s handicrafts exports, the official said, the 11-month figure indicates a 97% realization of the plan.

Iran’s handicrafts exports reached $289 million in the fiscal (2018-2019), suggesting a mild growth of 3% year on year.

Traditional ceramics, pottery vessels, handwoven cloths as well as personal ornamentations with precious and semi-precious gemstones were the main products exported last year.

Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, the US, the UK, were the top five export destinations of Iran during the said period.

MR/

Head of International Interaction Center of the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology Affairs Mahdi Ghalenoei said on Sun. that Iran has forwarded homemade coronavirus, COVID-19, diagnostic kits to several countries in order to export kits to these countries if approved.

Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in the country, knowledge-based companies began producing COVID-19 diagnostic kits to prove their capabilities with the healthcare system, he emphasized.

As the country is in the middle of fighting against COVID-19, in addition to meeting its domestic demands, homegrown coronavirus diagnostic kits will also be exported overseas, Ghalenoei added.

The sample of domestically-made coronavirus diagnostic kits have been forwarded to other countries, he said, adding, “with the coordination made, market of these kits will be developed in the international arena.”

Pakistan is one of the export target markets of country in the field of coronavirus diagnostic kits produced by domestic knowledge-based companies, he stated.

Pakistan is testing Iranian-made coronavirus diagnostic kits in one of its accredited healthcare treatment centers, he said, adding, “if Pakistan approves the kits, the country will export corona diagnostic kits to this country.”

He pointed to the Philippines as Iran’s another export target market for coronavirus diagnostic kit and added, “we have forwarded two types of COVID-19 diagnostic kits to Department of Health (DOH) in Philippines as well.”

India, Nigeria and Armenia are of the other export target markets of the country in the field of exporting coronavirus diagnostic kits, he added.

Qatar, Georgia and Syria will also be added to the list of Iran’s export target market in the field of coronavirus diagnostic kits.

MA/

Researchers at Amirkabir University of Technology have managed to attain the know-how to produce a type of disinfectant that does not pose any harm to the environment and humans.

The firm is now mass producing multi oxidant solution that can be used to both sanitize surfaces and hands.

The solution is produced by electrolysis of sodium chloride (NaCl) brine in an electrolytic cell. CEO of this company said that the process is exclusively owned by this firm, noting that no chemical compound is being used in the manufacturing process and so the product is environmentally friendly.

The solution does not threaten the health of people using it, he said, adding that it is also alkaline in nature and non-flammable.

As almost the rest of the world, Iran faced a shortage of disinfectants and other products needed for the fight against the novel coronavirus in the beginning weeks of the outbreak. However, knowledge-based firms, industrial units, and military organizations used their capacities to fulfill the domestic need.

The country is now producing its required COVID-19 test kits, face masks, disinfectants, and some medical equipment and even export the surplus production to other countries that need them.

MNA/

The International Short Film Festival on the coronavirus pandemic will be held in Tehran.

According to the officials of the event, the theme of the festival is ‘‘One Minute Quarantine’’.

The festival aims to share the experiences of the people of the world during the quarantine period in the fight against coronavirus.

It also aims to show the sweet and bitter experiences, nostalgia, unemployment, joy, and hope as well as deaths caused by COVID-19 during the quarantine period.

According to the latest reports on Sunday, more than 280,000 have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus around the world, while the number of confirmed infections has surpassed four million and more than 1.3 million people have recovered.

MNA/

Iranian short ‘Braceball’, written and directed by Reyhane Mortezaeinia, will take part in the 4th Ramsgate International Film and TV Festival in the UK.

‘Braceball’ narrates the story of a young boy with a disability, who loves soccer and makes every effort to have his dream come true in spite of his physical limitations.

Set in England’s Royal Harbour, and the stunning location to multiple award-winning and acclaimed TV and Film productions, the 4th Ramsgate International Film and TV Festival will show new works and help promote filmmakers and cultural awareness.

The 4 edition of the festival will be held on 11-14 June 2020. /MNA/