Economy Minister states that the National Development Fund must invest in foreign currency-generating projects
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Tehran Times
www.tehrantimes.com

Economy Minister states that the National Development Fund must invest in foreign currency-generating projects

The Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance emphasized the need to change the approach of the National Development Fund (NDF), noting that the fund should take on a more serious role in large and profitable investments. Special attention should be paid to the oil and gas extraction sector, and resources should be directed to projects capable of generating foreign currency using a leverage mechanism.

According to IRNA, Seyed Ali Madanizadeh, a representative of the Ministry of Economy, stated this on Monday during a ceremony honoring and presenting the new head of the National Development Fund's Board of Trustees. Mustafa Purmohammadi, head of the Planning and Budget Organization, also attended the event. He also expressed gratitude for the work of Mehdi Ghazanfari, the former head of the fund's Board of Trustees.

Madanizadeh noted that the actions taken during Ghazanfari's tenure, especially the change in the fund's approach and entry into oil extraction investments, marked a significant shift in the work of the National Development Fund over a period exceeding a decade.

He also thanked Dr. Garibpur for his efforts under current difficult circumstances and stated that the National Development Fund is at a critical stage, and it is expected that the new leadership will actively implement the important tasks of this financial institution.

Referring to the country's economic situation after the war, Madanizadeh added that the country will soon overcome the difficult situation, but to move towards development, close attention must be paid to investments, particularly large-scale economic investments where other financial institutions in the country cannot effectively participate.

The Economy Minister continued by pointing out that one of the most important areas where the National Development Fund can demonstrate its capabilities is investing in the oil and gas extraction sector, and this approach can be extended to other sectors of the country's economy that generate foreign currency.

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Nissan sales increase by 147%; company's position is changing with the launch of new SUV Tekton
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www.aajtak.in

Nissan sales increase by 147%; company's position is changing with the launch of new SUV Tekton

Nissan India has seen an improvement in sales since the arrival of the Tekton. The company's sales increased by 147 percent in August 2026, indicating year-on-year growth for the company in the domestic market. This increase in Nissan's sales is mainly due to the recently launched Tekton, along with Magnite and Gravite. This car has received a very positive response after its launch in the Indian market.

In August, Nissan India delivered a total of 9,350 units, out of which 3,426 vehicles were sold in the domestic market and 5,924 were exported. The company started exporting the new Nissan Tekton in August itself. A total of 1,300 units of Tekton have been sent to countries such as South Africa, Bhutan, and Nepal.

The company stated that the initial export demonstrates the first phase rollout of Tekton in the international market, and in the future, this SUV will also enter other markets. The company is presenting this model as a globally competitive product manufactured in India under its 'One Car, One World' plan.

Under this strategy, Nissan aims to manufacture cars in India according to global standards and then sell them in domestic and international markets. The export of Tekton will highlight Indian operations in Nissan's global manufacturing and export network.

The starting ex-showroom price of the Nissan Tekton is ₹10.49 lakh, while the prices of its mid-variants range between ₹11.79 lakh and ₹16.49 lakh. The top variant of the car is available at an ex-showroom price of ₹18.59 lakh. This car comes with two engine options.

In the base variant, the company has provided a 1.0-liter turbo petrol engine, which generates 100 PS of power. With this engine, the brand offers a 6-speed manual transmission option. The second engine option is a 1.3-liter turbo petrol variant, which also includes a DCT automatic option.

The car is equipped with a 10.25-inch digital driver display and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This car comes with a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating and is equipped with 6 airbags in all variants. Additionally, Level 2 ADAS is also available as an option.

Wiocc attracts $300 million in investment from Saudi and African partners
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techcentral.co.za

Wiocc attracts $300 million in investment from Saudi and African partners

Wiocc Group has signed an agreement to raise a total of $300 million from the African Finance Corporation and Vision International Investment from Saudi Arabia. This amount represents the largest capital raise in the company's history.

The shareholders' subscription agreement was signed on Tuesday at the Leap technology exhibition in Riyadh, which runs from August 31 to September 3. According to Wiocc, the funds received, equivalent to 4.8 billion Rands at the exchange rate at the time of publication, will be directed towards developing data centers, infrastructure consolidation, expanding the open-access terrestrial fiber optic network, and investing in new subsea cable assets.

The significance of this deal is underscored by the fact that in 2022, Wiocc raised $200 million, during which the African Capital Alliance took a stake through its Cape IV fund, and the International Finance Corporation invested $30 million for a stake later valued at approximately 10%.

In 2025, the group raised over $400 million across three separate rounds. The last of these was a sustainable development debt program worth $65 million provided by IFC, Proparco, Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund, and Ninety One. In May of this year, IFC additionally provided a loan of up to $20.4 million along with an equity stake of up to $50 million.

Thus, a single check of $300 million exceeds the entire volume of fundraising in 2022 and accounts for about three-quarters of all funds raised by Wiocc last year.

Group CEO Chris Wood stated in his announcement: 'Africa is uniquely positioned to harness the next phase of global digital growth.' He added that this investment will enable Wiocc to execute its long-term growth strategy by accelerating the deployment and consolidation of data centers, expanding the continent's open-access terrestrial fiber optic network, and making strategic investments in new subsea assets.

South Africa Aspect

Wiocc's main presence in South Africa is realized through the company Open Access Data Centres. This company completed the acquisition of seven NTT Data sites on December 31, 2025, following approval by the Competition Commission. The deal was structured as a sale followed by a lease and added over 25 MW of capacity and facilities in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, East London, Gqeberha, Durban, and Johannesburg.

At the signing ceremony in February, Joshua Smithwood, Head of Strategy and M&A for the group, told TechCentral that the digital infrastructure market is 'entering a phase of consolidation.' The announcement made on Tuesday indicates Wiocc's intention to continue the acquisition process. The company listed 'consolidation' of data centers first among the intended uses of funds, preceding fiber and subsea infrastructure.

This places Wiocc in a market where competitors are actively spending money. Teraco, owned by Digital Realty, has nearly 190 MW of IT load and approximately $877 million in committed investments. Vantage Data Centers is building a campus in Waterfall near Midrand as part of a $1 billion project, and Cavaleros Group announced campuses with capacities of 360 MW in Cape Town and 200 MW north of Johannesburg.

The African Finance Corporation is a multilateral development finance institution established in 2007 with the participation of 48 member countries. It reports having invested over $19 billion in 36 African countries. Vision Invest is a Saudi infrastructure investment company whose portfolio focuses on power generation, water desalination, and logistics. Its first direct investment in Africa occurred in September 2025 when it acquired a stake in the developer of the Arise IIP industrial park—a deal also involving the African Finance Corporation.

The statement does not specify the valuation, equity stake, or the distribution of the $300 million between the two investors. It also does not clarify how the new funds will affect existing shareholders.

Six deals presented with discounts up to 59% on popular electronics
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olhardigital.com.br

Six deals presented with discounts up to 59% on popular electronics

For those looking for great deals in the technology sector, a diverse selection of discounted items has been compiled. Six special offers with discounts reaching up to 59% have been selected, covering a wide range of products, from Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 44mm LTE smartwatches to iPhone 16 512GB, Aiwa HP-04 headphones, a portable mini-projector, Samsung 32" Smart TV, and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 laptop. Options are available for different needs, with prices starting from 169 rials.

Below are the best deals of the day, including prices, discount sizes, and key specifications for each model.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 44mm LTE

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 44mm LTE is the newest smartwatch model from Samsung, featuring LTE functionality that allows calls, messaging, and app usage even without a nearby phone, thanks to the built-in chip in the device itself. The watch has a 44mm silver case (suitable for medium and large wrists), is equipped with full Galaxy AI functionality, advanced health monitoring (heart rate, sleep, oxygen saturation, ECG), and integration with Samsung Galaxy smartphones. This model offers the largest discount in the list—59%, and its price is less than 1440 rials.

Apple iPhone 16 512GB

The iPhone 16 in the 512GB configuration is the version with maximum storage capacity, ideal for users who actively shoot 4K video, take many photos in ProRAW mode, or use the iPhone as their primary work tool. It is equipped with an advanced camera system, the Apple A18 chip, Dynamic Island, a USB-C port, and the full suite of Apple Intelligence features. The classic black color is available for less than 5220 rials with a 48% discount, which is the consolidated price for the iPhone with the largest storage capacity.

Aiwa HP-04-B

The Aiwa HP-04-B is a full-size (over-ear) Bluetooth headset equipped with premium technologies: ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) to eliminate external noise, ENC (Noise Cancellation during calls) for clearer conversation, and Ambient Mode, which lets external sounds through for safety outdoors or during quick conversations. Aiwa is a classic Japanese audio brand present in Brazil since the 1980s and recently relaunched with a focus on affordable products. With a 48% discount, it costs less than 170 rials, offering ANC at a very attractive price.

A compact portable smart projector is also featured, integrated with the Android 11 system (allowing streaming apps to be installed directly on the device), supporting Wi-Fi 5G (5 GHz band for greater stability) and Bluetooth for connecting sound systems and peripherals, and its compact size is convenient for transport. This projector is available for less than 190 rials with a 46% discount.

The Samsung 32" HD Smart TV is a compact television with the Tizen system (most common in Samsung Smart TVs, with pre-installed streaming apps), HDR support, built-in Wi-Fi, and a unique monitor function that allows the device to be used as a computer monitor via HDMI, aimed at image quality for increased productivity. The TV is dual-voltage (110/220V) and suitable for bedrooms, kitchens, home offices, or as a second screen for a PC. With a 39% discount, it will cost less than 835 rials.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRH10

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRH10 is a full-fledged mid-range laptop, equipped with an 11th generation Intel Core i5-13420H processor, 8GB of RAM, a spacious 512GB SSD, a 15.3-inch screen, and Windows 11 operating system. The laptop has a slim design in Luna Grey. At a 36% discount, its cost is less than 3960 rials.

These six offers cover completely different categories; the choice depends on the buyer's needs. For those seeking a flagship Samsung smartwatch with cellular connectivity, the silver Galaxy Watch 8 44mm LTE is the most advantageous offer, allowing calls without dependence on a phone. For professional 4K content creation or intensive iPhone use, the black iPhone 16 512GB maintains its stable price. Regarding premium sound with noise cancellation at minimal cost, the Aiwa HP-04 headphones are a rare find—ANC at the price of regular headphones. For informal presentations or viewing in dark rooms, the mini-projector costing less than 190 rials is an accessible option (while noting the '4K' resolution limitations). For a compact Smart TV with a PC monitor function, the Samsung 32" HD with Tizen offers versatility. And for work, study, or multitasking, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 with the 13th Gen Core i5 processor ensures reliable performance.

The choice depends on the usage scenario. The LTE version (within this offer) has its own cellular chip, allowing calls, messaging, and music/streaming app usage without needing to keep the phone nearby. This is ideal for runners exercising without a phone, or for those who need constant access to emergency services, or for those who use the watch as their main gadget in certain situations. However, using this version requires a cellular line subscription or an additional eSIM (most operators offer special tariffs for smartwatches with reduced monthly fees). The Bluetooth version depends on the proximity of the phone for connection but is cheaper and does not incur additional monthly costs. Bluetooth is sufficient for daily and social use, whereas LTE is preferred for complete autonomy.

Yes, Aiwa is a classic Japanese audio brand founded in 1951 and known worldwide for its radios, cassette players, portable recorders, and audio equipment. The brand was a benchmark for personal audio in the 1980s and 1990s. After restructuring, it was relaunched in Brazil with a focus on high-quality, affordable products—headphones, Bluetooth speakers, and home audio. It does not compete with modern premium brands (Bose, Sennheiser, Sony) but offers excellent value for money in its price segment. For everyday home use, working from home, and public transport, it is an accessible option with an established name.

This depends on the primary method of use. Full-size headphones (like the Aiwa HP-04 in this offer) are ideal for home use, working from home, long concentration sessions, and better low-frequency sound quality—the larger construction allows for larger drivers and more effective ANC. TWS headphones (e.g., Anker P30i, Sport X20) are characterized by portability, discretion, and suitability for sports and active use. For combined use, many users prefer to have both types: over-ear headphones for home and work, and TWS for sports and walks.

Yes, and with positive results. The Samsung 32" in this offer has a special monitor function—it includes optimizations for use as a second screen: PC mode (reduces image processing to decrease latency), quality HDMI support, and more accurate colors for productivity. It is excellent for editing text, spreadsheets, web browsing, and light professional work. However, for professional photo, video, or graphic design editing, specialized monitors with IPS or OLED panels and precise calibration are better suited. It should be noted that the HD resolution (1366x768) is limited for intensive productivity in 2026—Full HD or 4K is recommended for heavy professional work.

In inexpensive projectors (in the price range of 150 to 500 rials), the term '4K' usually means that the device accepts a 4K signal but internally downscales it to the actual projection resolution, which is most often HD (720p) or Full HD (1080p) at best. Projectors with true native 4K resolution start from 3000 rials and above from well-known brands (Epson, BenQ, LG, Xiaomi). For informal use in dark rooms and casual presentations, cheap projectors perform well for a minimal price. For a full home cinema experience, it is worth investing in models with native Full HD or true 4K resolution, as the visual result will be significantly better.

Yes, the price of 5219 rials remains stable for several weeks—this is a consolidated price, not a temporary discount. For those waiting for the right moment to buy, this guarantees that no significantly lower price will appear soon (except during major sales like Prime Day and Black Friday). With 512GB of memory, it is ideal for those who shoot a lot of 4K video, take ProRAW photos, or use the iPhone professionally. For general use, the 128GB version is perfectly adequate at a much lower price.

Prices and product availability change frequently, so do not delay your purchase. Visit the links, compare models, and take advantage of the discounts while they are available.

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