The Importance of City Diplomacy and Introducing Industries in Arak
In today’s world, the role of cities is no longer limited to geographical boundaries and traditional functions. With the growing trend of urbanization and the globalization of the economy, the concept of “city diplomacy” has emerged as a modern tool for international engagement among cities. City diplomacy refers to a set of international activities and interactions carried out by municipalities, local institutions, organizations, and urban actors with the aim of promoting the economic, cultural, environmental, and technological interests of a city. In this regard, Arak, as one of Iran’s major industrial hubs, has significant potential to benefit from city diplomacy in showcasing its economic and industrial capacities to the world.
Arak’s Industrial Status in Iran’s Economy
Arak is considered one of the most important industrial cities in Iran. Located in the center of the country, it plays a vital role in industrial and production development. Thanks to its favorable geographical location, access to land and rail transport networks, and the presence of skilled human resources, it has become an active center for industry and production. Key sectors of Arak’s economy include machinery, aluminum, oil and gas, petrochemicals, electricity, and electronics.
Notable industries in Arak include the Arak Machinery Manufacturing Company, Iran Aluminum Company (IRALCO), Shazand petrochemical and oil industries, and the Wagon Pars Company. These industries not only meet domestic market needs but also possess considerable export capabilities.
IRALCO company
Despite its significant industrial capacities, Arak has not yet gained the international recognition it deserves. Therefore, utilizing the tools of city diplomacy can be an effective step in introducing global markets to Arak’s industries, attracting foreign investment, transferring technology, and enhancing the city’s economic brand.
To achieve this, it is essential to define a clear economic brand that reflects Arak’s competitive advantages. This brand can be built on the city’s strengths in metal industries, heavy machinery, petrochemical products, and industrial innovation. Developing a professional logo, slogan, and promotional campaigns can significantly draw international attention. In the digital age, it is crucial to leverage social media, multilingual websites, promotional documentaries, and virtual interactions with global stakeholders. Creating specialized content about Arak’s industry and economy in global languages is an effective way to market the city’s capabilities.
City diplomacy is a powerful tool for showcasing cities’ economic and industrial potential. Given Arak’s industrial history, production infrastructure, and specialized workforce, the city has great potential to play a prominent role in city diplomacy. With a comprehensive program, Arak can be introduced as a leading industrial city in the region, attract foreign investments, and enhance its position in both national and international economies.
An Overview of Arak’s Industries
Arak is among the most prominent industrial cities in Iran. It ranks first in terms of product diversity and second in terms of the presence of core industries, making it one of the four main industrial hubs in the country. Arak is known as the “Industrial Capital of Iran” due to its key industries, which include producers of 80% of Iran’s energy equipment, the largest aluminum factory, the largest machinery manufacturing company, the largest railcar and train manufacturer in the Middle East, and major electricity and telecommunications infrastructure producers (e.g., Avangan, Yasan, Gam, Shayan Bargh), as well as Iran’s largest producer of tools (Iran Potk), the first and largest industrial and construction machinery manufacturer in the Middle East, the largest combine harvester producer, the largest hydraulic jack producer, the biggest gasoline producer, and the largest producer of salt-based metals in the country. These industries not only fulfill domestic demands but also contribute significantly to Iran’s industrial exports.
Aluminum Industries
Aluminum is the second most produced and consumed metal in the world after steel, and it is considered the main metal of the 21st century. The Iran Aluminum Company (IRALCO) is the oldest aluminum production unit in Iran, with an annual production capacity of 200,000 tons of aluminum ingots. It was established in 1972 with American and Pakistani collaboration, and its ownership was fully transferred to Iran after the revolution. This company, along with more than 500 subsidiary workshops, has made Arak a key aluminum production hub in the country.
The Navard Aluminum Group, founded in 1972, is one of the largest producers in the region, manufacturing aluminum sheets, plates, and coils using advanced techniques. It is also the only producer of clad aluminum in Iran and exports to countries such as the UK, Canada, Japan, Germany, and Turkey.
Navard Aluminum
Alumroll Novin Company and Pardis Aluminum Industries produce over 100,000 tons of aluminum profiles annually and provide services such as heat treatment, coating, and processing. They are among the largest aluminum exporters in Iran.
Machinery Industry
Arak Machinery Manufacturing Company is the largest machinery production company in Iran and the Middle East. It designs and produces petrochemical plants, oil refineries, dams, bridges, power stations, and equipment for the oil, gas, steel, transportation, port, and mining industries.
A product manufactured by Arak Machinery
Azarab Company is one of the largest general contracting companies in Iran, engaged in energy projects, refineries, petrochemicals, cement, and steel plants.
Azarab Company
Fara Petrosazan Company is another contractor operating in heavy industries such as oil, gas, aluminum, steel, and industrial machinery production.
Heavy Machinery Manufacturing
HEPCO Arak, established in 1974, is the first and largest producer of heavy machinery in Iran and the Middle East, manufacturing construction, road-building, and mining equipment.
HEPCO products
Iran Combine Manufacturing Company, established in 1969 in collaboration with John Deere, produces agricultural harvesting machines.
Iran Combine
Railway Industries
Wagon Pars Arak is the largest manufacturer of railcars and locomotives in the Middle East. Since 1993, it has been producing locomotives and currently manufactures metro cars, freight trains, and various types of railcars and locomotives.
Wagon Pars
Electricity Industries
Avangan Company produces electricity and telecommunications towers.
Avangan Company
Yasan Company produces transmission towers with a production capacity of 35,000 tons per year.
Gam Company manufactures metal structures for high-voltage substations and telecommunications towers.
Oil and Petrochemical Industries
Shazand Arak Refinery, with a capacity of 250,000 barrels per day, was established in 1993 and is one of the largest refineries in Iran.
Shazand Petrochemical Complex, founded in 1984 and operational since 1993, produces basic chemical materials for export and domestic use.
Shazand Arak Refinery
Chemical Industries
Ronas Paints is one of Iran’s largest producers of industrial, architectural, and marine paints. Established in 1974, it operates four production lines with an annual capacity of 28,000 tons, two resin production lines with 14,000 tons capacity, and five lines for producing packaging cans and containers with a total capacity of 4,000 tons annually.