Iran eyes stronger trade ties with Asian-Pacific states

A senior Iranian trade official said that Asian and Pacific states are among Iran's main trade partners, and announced that Tehran plans to increase the trade ties with these states. Director-General of the of the Asia and Pacific Trade Office of Iran's Trade Promotion Organization Amir Talebi said that Iran and China have agreed to establish a joint commercial and industrial committee in the first half of 2012. He added that Iran also plans to establish joint committees with Malaysia, India, and Afghanistan in the near future. Talebi also announced that about 62% of all Iranian exports are currently going to Asia-Pacific countries. He stated that nine of the first 12 export destinations of the Islamic Republic are located in the Asia-Pacific region. Tehran plans to increase non-oil exports up to $45bln in the current Iranian year. The 45-billion-dollar non-oil exports will include $14.5bln of industrial products, $14bln of petrochemical products, $4.5bln of agricultural products, $4bln of gas condensates, $3bln of mining products, $4bln of technical and engineering services and $1bln of carpets and handicrafts. Iran had earlier announced that it plans to boost its non-oil exports to $80bln within the next five years. According to official reports, Iran's non-oil products are exported to 160 countries of the world. China, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, India, Afghanistan, Turkey, Pakistan, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea and Belgium are the main destinations and markets of the Iranian products.