Iran ends reliance on oil sales in foreign trade: Minister

Reza Fatemi Amin

Qom, IRNA – Iranian Minister of industry, Mine and Trade Reza Fatemi Amin said here on Friday that the world markets are opened towards Iran’s exports and now Iranian economy’s reliance on oil in foreign trade has ended

Fatemi Amin said on the sidelines of his Friday visit to Qom in a press conference, “Iran’s non-oil exports rose from 35 billion dollars in the year 2021 to 58 billion in the year 2022 and in the first four months of the current Iranian year (that began on March 21, 2022) showed 40% increase in non-oil exports compared to the same period last year.

He emphasized that the economic conditions of the country are improving, and said that the general conditions of the Iranian economy are quite hope inspiring.

Fatemi Amin said that also in production of most products "we are witnessing boom in manufacturing, and for instance Iran’s steel production increased 5% and aluminum production over 15%.

He said that this increased production is also seen in cars, home appliances, glassware, copper, etc., although in case of some goods such as cooking oil we have faced decreased production, which is partly due to the smuggling of this product.

The minister said that Iran’s exports to the African counties, too increased 100% this year, and to Russia it increased 35% compared with the last year.

The minister of industry, mine, and trade also referred to the government’s plan to import 70,000 foreign cars till the end of the current Iranian year, March 21, 2023, to increase presentation to the market, and make up for the deficit, as well as the under 10,000-dollar cars on condition of also importing their technology and after sales services.