Monthly Non-oil Exports Fetch $4.5bn

Tehran, Oct 22, IRNA - Iran exported $4.5 billion worth of non-oil products during September 23-October 22, said the head of Iran-China Chamber of Commerce. Speaking in a meeting on Iran’s export opportunities to China in the field of handicrafts, Asadollah Asgarowladi added that during March 21-October 22, Iran’s non-oil exports amounted to $29 billion. He noted that in case the current growing trend continues, Iran’s non-oil exports will exceed $50 billion by March 20, 2015. Asgarowladi put the share of gas condensates, petrochemicals and industrial products in non-oil exports at 25 percent, 30 percent and 45 percent respectively. He said increasing exports is among the main objectives of the government. “The government has reduced inflation by 15 percent from 40 percent last year to reach 25 in the current year. This has increased the country’s production and export. In 2012 and 2013, Iran’s economic growth was about -5 percent, but currently the figure has become positive,” he said. Asgarowladi said China is interested in importing Iranian goods and handicrafts. “We should hold expos in major Chinese cities to help them become familiar with Iranian handicrafts,” he said. Bahman Namvar-Motlaq, the deputy head of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, said Iran ranks 31st in exporting handicrafts in the world. Namvar-Motlaq noted that the country’s potentials are higher than the current volume of handicraft exports. “Iran enjoys great diversity in terms of handicrafts, which is due to the numerous ethnic communities living in the country, which underwent different historical periods. Currently, Iranian artists produced 300 types of handicrafts,” he said. Handicrafts sector is capable of generating employment with a small amount of investment. “The global supply and demand market of handicrafts is growing. In case more investments are made in the sector, it will have brighter prospects,” he said. Namvar-Motlaq noted that although China is the world’s biggest exporter of handicrafts, the country is gradually drifting away from the sector. “This will provide a favorable opportunity for Iran to replace Chinese products in international markets with its high-quality handicrafts,” he said. Noting that the Chinese market is a great destination for Iranian handicrafts, Namvar-Motlaq said the Chinese are very interested in ornamental and precious stones and other Iranian handicrafts. 'There is also a high demand for Iranian kilims in the Chinese market,' he said./end