Iran’s Non-oil Exports Increasing Despite Western Sanctions

Paris, Oct 23, IRNA –Executive Director of Iran International Exhibitions said here Monday despite western imposed sanctions for our country’s peaceful nuclear program, Iran’s non-oil exports have been constantly increasing in recent years. Mahmoud Haqverdi who was speaking with IRNA on the sidelines of the Paris 2012 international food and dried nuts exhibition, SIAL, added, “Surveys show that during the course of the past five years Iran as had an average increase of over 10 billion US dollars of non-oil exports annually. He said that the non-oil exports of Iran amount to some 50 billion Euros annually, reiterating, “The statistics show that during the first six months (of the Iranian year 1391 – started on March 20th, 2012), too, the Iranian non-oil exports increased noticeably.” Haqverdi then focused on the sanctions and the current global trade status, noting, “The government’s topmost priority is supporting the agricultural sector and the non-oil exports, and the conditions, too, dictate that greater support is needed for the country’s producers and farmers.” Thirty two of best Iranian active firms in exporting food and dried nut products are participating at this year’s SIAL exhibition. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s 500-square-meter hall is one of the largest and most beautiful areas in this exhibition. The participating Iranian firms have presented pistachios, saffron, raisins, almonds, various types of canned and packed food, and tea in various booths of the Iran Hall at the exhibition. The world’s no. 1 food exhibition is taking place in Paris, from 21 to 25 October 2012. The essential event focuses on the major challenges faced by the global food industry. 5,900 exhibitors from 100 countries are expected in 2012./end