Journal of Empirical Economic Research

Abstract Due to being located on the solar radiation belt, Iran has a great potential to use this source of energy. Among different parts of Iran, given the direct radiation and climate conditions, Khuzestan has a higher potential to use solar energy. The lack of a significant increase in supply along with the growing demand for electricity makes the evaluation of various electricity generation projects inevitable. Hence, a solution must be found to respond to this growing need. In this study, the potential of the oil-rich region of Iran will be investigated in solar power generation. After a technical potential review based on meteorological and geographical information and data of this region, the technology of the PS-10 solar power plant in Seville, Spain, is economically evaluated in Khuzestan Province. The results show that the cities of this province have a great potential to use solar energy using the technology of central receiver system power plants. The economic evaluation also demonstrates that the installation of thermal power plants in the current situation is affordable, despite interest rate and guaranteed purchase price and currency rate in two regions of Ize-Baghmalek and Lali.

Abstract Natural gas is an important energy source on a global scale. Iran can play a pivotal role in the worldwide gas industry and potentially become a major natural gas exporter. As the second largest holder of natural gas reserves in the Middle East and the world, Iran has the potential to generate significant revenues from the export of this commodity. Given its proximity to countries that seek and use natural gas, Iran is well-positioned to play an important political and economic role. To this end, this study examines the impact of macroeconomic factors on Iran's gas exports. The analysis considered some factors, including the gross domestic product of Iran and the countries importing gas from Iran, the price, and other factors influencing gas consumption, production, and reserves. Eviews software was used to calculate the logarithms of the specified variables, to estimate the ARDL model for the specified period (1991-2019), and to determine the impact of these variables on Iran's gas exports. The results show that each of the aforementioned criteria has a significant impact on Iran's gas exports. The analysis shows that domestic gas consumption, Turkey's GDP, and Iran's GDP have a negative and significant impact on Iran's gas exports. Conversely, changes in the country's gas reserves, world gas prices, and changes in gas production have a positive and significant impact on gas exports.

Abstract One of the most important factors in increasing GDP is exports. Therefore, countries try to increase their exports and thus achieve higher economic growth. Various factors have an effect on exports, and in order to increase exports, these factors must be known and strengthened. Therefore, in this paper, an attempt is made to identify the most important factors affecting Iran's exports. The research method is quantitative and panel data method is used. The time period of the research includes 2000 to 2022. Data are collected from different sources including Central Bank of Iran (CBI), World Development Indicators (WDI), Distance from to (DFT). The data are estimated using EViews software. The results show that the export trade of Iran has positive relationship with the country’s GDP and importing countries’ GDP. Furthermore, it has a negative relationship with distance from Iran to trading partners. Border effects and exchange rate play a significant role in promoting exports of Iran. So these factors have contributed to explaining the success in exports of Iran over the years of past decade. Therefore, it is suggested to the government to strengthen the positive factors affecting the increase in exports, especially the exchange rate.

Abstract Economic growth, in addition to depending on the resources of growth and productivity, depends on the ability of economic and social infrastructure, including transportation infrastructure and its quality. Logistics is one of the important infrastructures for economic growth. Singapore's cash register has the first rank and Iran has the 123rd rank. This study examines the effect of logistics performance indicators on the economic growth of developing countries during the period of 2007-2023. In this research, the panel data of 12 developing countries have been collected and evaluated in the form of four models using the simple panel method. The results of the estimation of the models show that there is a positive and significant relationship between the overall score of logistics performance indicators and economic growth. Therefore, investing in improving logistics performance indicators can help economic growth. The Logistics Performance Index is divided into six sub-indicators, in which the three key indicators of this industry, namely the quality of trade and transportation-related infrastructure, the Logistics Competence Index, and the Ease of Arranging Shipments Index at a competitive price, were also examined, and the results show that all three indicators have a positive and significant relationship with economic growth, and other variables used in the model, ie real gross capital formation and foreign trade, have a positive effect on the economic growth of the studied countries.