TEHRAN (Iran News) – Head of Iran Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) says exports to neighboring countries as well as to India and China is the priority of Iran, and other Asian, African, and Latin American states are the second priority.

Speaking in the National Export Day ceremony, Hamid Reza Zadboum said that the policy of the ministry of industry, mine, and trade is focused on two axes of the abundance of goods and easing forex commitments of exporters, adding that by new approval which will be announced next week, more details will be released on removing the forex commitments of exporters.

He went on to say that the first priority of exports of the country is the neighboring states as well as India and China and the second priority is the other Asian, African, and some Latin American states.

Zadboum reiterated that in terms of exporting goods, any commodity with higher value-added will be the priority in order to reduce the raw material sales, admitting that it is impossible to have an immediate halt to raw material sales and it should happen gradually.

He added that the other policy of the organization is to sign agreements with the domestic bodies and also free trade agreements with other countries, and talks on free trade with Pakistan are underway.

Zadboum also on Sunday night and in a TV program said that Iran can gain more share of imports of the neighboring states, adding that the value of imports of those countries is around $1200b and Iran can export $100b of goods to those states. He admitted that if Iran wants to increase its share of those countries’ imports, it requires to reinforce its export production.

He said the total volume of Iran’s exports is around $41b that $24b of it is to the neighboring states and in order to boost the figure, export production should be increased.

He added that according to the TPO studies, Pakistan has a good capacity for Iran’s exports and Iran can export $16b of goods out of its 100-billion-dollar export target set for the next year.

Zadboum admitted that programs for foreign trade are based on international agreements but Iran’s condition is different from other countries.

He also said the organization is to dispatch a trade delegation to Idlib of Syria.