Iran exported USD50bn in non-oil goods last year

Iran’s non-oil exports have surged despite international sanctions imposed on the country in the previous Iranian calendar year (ended March 20) to reach USD 50 billion.

“[Iran’s] non-oil exports hit 43.8 billion dollars last year and if USD 4.2 billion of technical and engineering exports is added, the final figure will stand at USD 48 billion,” Trade Promotion Organization’s deputy director for trade aid said on Saturday.

Kioumars Fathollah Kermanshahi added that more than 25 Iranian companies have implemented various technical and engineering projects in the fields of power, industry, construction, energy, wastewater, surface waters and dam construction in 10 countries last year.

The official emphasized that industry, mines and trade were the most important ways of developing exports and supporting domestic production.

The growth in non-oil exports comes despite Western sanctions against Iran over its nuclear energy program.

The US and the EU have imposed sanctions against Iran to prevent other countries from importing Iranian crude and doing business with the country’s central bank.

The West claims that Iran pursues military goals under the cover of its civilian nuclear energy program, but Tehran refutes their claims, saying that as a committed member of International Atomic Energy Agency it is entitled to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.