Export figures not satisfactory: Minister
Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari expressed dissatisfaction over the country’s export figures.
According to Trend News Agency, Shariatmadari regretted the gap between what Iranian producers and tradesmen have and what they can achieve in foreign markets, noting, “There is no national determination to boost exports.”
Noting that Iran is able to export non-oil products valued at $180 billion annually, he added that Iran’s economic survival should only be sought in non-oil exports.
“Given the country’s capacities and capabilities, including educated young people, engineers, technicians, skilled labor, abundant mineral reserves, unique geopolitical situation, vast coastline and access to free waters, it is not an overstatement to say that Iran’s share in world trade should stand at one percent per year at least,” Shariatmadari said.
Iran currently accounts for 0.34 percent (oil included) and 0.24 percent (excluding oil) of the annual world trade.
He pointed out that the value of 10 goods topping the list of Iran’s exports last year amounted to $23.8 billion while exports to Iran’s top 10 customers stand at $35.8 billion.
According to the Iran Customs Administration, non-oil foreign trade during March to September this year stood at $44.13 billion.
Iran exported 58.63 million tons of non-oil products valued at $20.54 billion, indicating a 3.2 percent decline year-onyear.
Meanwhile, Ali Salehabadi, the CEO of Export Development Bank of Iran, announced the bank’s newly devised export incentives.
Top exporters, Salehabadi said, will be given 0.5 percent discount on interest rates on the loans they receive.
Nevertheless, he noted, the bank will have special considerations in assessing top exporters’ qualifications to receive banking facilities. During March-september this year, Iran earned over $23 billion from crude oil sales, as the country shipped over 2.6 million barrels per day of crude oil and condensates on average.
Iran is not a member of World Trade Organization. As such, the country has been banking on free or preferential trade agreements with the countries it has strong economic trade ties with.
According to figures released by the Central Bank of Iran, the average per ton value of goods exported from and imported to Iran stands at $341 and $1,308 respectively, which indicates the low value-added of Iranian products.