Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – April 23, 1996

At half past seven in the morning, we flew with helicopters to the white cement factory in the northwest of Saveh. [Mr. Hossein Kamali], Minister of Labor and [Mr. Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh], Minister of Industries were with him. On the way, the Minister of Industries explained. The factory produces 600 tons of white cement daily. Gypsum, lime and kaolin mines are nearby. It was built with 32 million dollars of foreign exchange expenses that Islamic Bank gave a loan and sums of riyals. [Mr. Behrouz Zandi], the factory manager and Mr. Nematzadeh explained and we visited the production line.

The main technological difference between white cement and gray cement is the higher temperature of the furnace and raw materials and the drying of clinker with water. White cement has twice the export value of gray cement and the first shipment was sold to Qatar. Three other factories are under construction for the purpose of export. I spoke encouragingly to them about the importance of cement, especially white cement, and the successes of our country in this industry.

From there, we went to the Aspidar porcelain factory, belonging to the private sector, and opened the second phase. Production has reached 2400 tons from 1400 tons. They produce good quality. Recently won the prize of the Spanish exhibition. I visited different departments and talked with the workers. Almost all its materials are domestically produced and we also make the machines domestically. It has a good value.

Then we went to Pars rubber factory to open the second phase with a capacity of 20 thousand tons. I had already seen the first phase; With explanations from the CEO and Mr. Nematzadeh, [Minister of Industries] and the CEO of Sanat and Mine Bank, visiting the production line and listening to full technical explanations. A significant part of raw materials is still imported, although we produce industrial carbon black and synthetic rubber ourselves. I spoke to them. I heard the problems of Kaveh factories and industrial town and promised to help.

After lunch, rest and prayer, at three in the afternoon we went to Ghadir Saveh Dam. From space, we saw the network of irrigation canals and drainage of the lands under the dam. Mr. [Bijan Namdar] Zanganeh, [Minister of Energy] explained. Due to the decision to use pressurized irrigation, 10 thousand hectares of cultivated land will be added. At the opening ceremony of the hydropower plant, Mr. [Bijan Namdar] Zanganeh, [Minister of Energy] and [Hossein Ali] Tarawat, [Deputy Minister of Energy] explained. The Chinese ambassador had also come; Because we bought the power plant from China. There are two power plants of five megawatts and two power plants of two and a half megawatts.

I also talked about the benefits of this dam and the pressurized irrigation plan, and we visited the dam's power plant and lake; It is completely full. They opened the lower hatches. The sight of water splashing and its mighty roar is very beautiful and magnificent. I did an interview and we returned to Tehran. By 9:30 PM, I did the work and came home. I informed Dr. Rouhani about last night's talks with Ayatollah Khamenei.