Iran’s trade turnover tops $56b in 7 months

TEHRAN,Oct.28(MNA) - Iran conducted $56.38 billion in trade of non-oil goods with other countries during the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year, which began on March 20, according to Iranian Customs Administration Director Abbas Memarnejad. Over 45 million tons of goods, valued at $24.67 billion, were exported, and 23.54 million tons of goods, worth $31.71 billion, were imported during the seven-month period, the Mehr News Agency quoted Memarnejad as saying on Saturday. Iraq was the main importer of Iranian goods during the period, with $3.55 billion of purchases, and the United Arab Emirates was the main exporter, with $6.38 billion worth of goods sold to Iran, Memarnejad said. In July, Finance and Economic Affairs 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 goods in the previous Iranian calendar year and imported about $61.8 billion worth of goods to hit the unprecedented mark of $105 billion in annual trade. Trade Promotion Organization of Iran Deputy Director Kiyumars Fat’hollah Kermanshahi said in May that annual imports and exports are projected to reach $77 billion and $83 billion respectively by March 2016.