Non-Oil Exports from Iran’s Central Province of Isfahan Jump by 50%

Iran’s central province of Isfahan has exported 6.755 million tons of commodities in the first 11 months of the current local calendar year (March 21, 2019-February 19, 2020), which shows a 47% jump in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

Isfahan Province exported 6.755 million tons of goods worth around $2.455 billion during the first 11 months of the current local calendar year, Director General of provincial Customs Administration Rasoul Kouhestani said.

According to Kouhestani, the figures show a 47% and 8% increase in terms of tonnage and value, respectively, in comparison with the corresponding period of last year.

He added that the province had a 5% share of Iran’s non-oil exports in the 11-month period, saying Isfahan produces offered 1,173 types of merchandise in 91 countries in the mentioned span.

The main exports included iron and steel, petroleum products, carpet, iron and steel products, dairy products, stone, cement and plastic.

Iraq ($598 million), China ($315 million), Afghanistan ($261 million), UAE ($197 million) and Pakistan ($148 million) were the top five destinations for commodities made in Isfahan.

In December, Iranian Deputy Industry, Mine and Trade Minister Hossein Modarres Khiabani said that the country's trade balance stands at $65bln in the past 9 months despite the US sanctions.

Over $32.5 billion worth of goods were exported from Iran over the past nine months, as the country's trade balance stands at $65 billion, taking into account the total imports, Modarres Khiabani said on Wednesday.

His comments came as Iran is speeding up efforts to diversify its economy away from oil as normal crude sales have fallen significantly as a result of the American sanctions.