Iran’s 4-month non-oil trade tops $25.4b

TEHRAN,July 29(MNA) - Iran conducted over $25.4 billion in trade of non-oil goods with other countries during the first four months of the current calendar year which began on March 21, Iran’s Customs Administration reported on Sunday. The country exported $12.536 billion worth of non-oil goods (including gas condensates) and imported $12.909 billion of non-oil goods during the 4-month period. Exports and imports fell by 18.5 percent and 27.26 percent respectively compared to the same period in the previous year. Methanol, iron ore concentrate, and bitumen were the main goods exported, and rice, wheat, soy meal, and corn fodder were the main items imported. China, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates were the three top importers of Iranian goods during the period, while the United Arab Emirates, China, and India were the leading exporters of goods to Iran. In July 2012, Economy Minister Shamseddin Hosseini said Iran conducted economic transactions with 150 countries in the previous Iranian calendar year (March 2011-March 2012). And about 80 countries transited their products through Iran, he added. Iran continues trading with the world at a brisk pace, even though certain countries are currently trying to create obstacles in order to hinder the country’s economic progress, the finance minister said. Iran exported around $43.7 billion worth of non-oil goods in the previous Iranian calendar year and imported about $61.8 billion worth of non-oil goods to hit the unprecedented mark of $105 billion in annual trade. In May 2012, Trade Promotion Organization of Iran Deputy Director Kiyumars Fat’hollah Kermanshahi said that annual imports and exports are projected to reach $77 billion and $83 billion respectively by March 2016.