7% Growth in Exports Under the Fourteenth Gov’t

TEHRAN (Iran News) According to the economic correspondent of Islamic Republic News Agency, total imports during the 18-month period declined from $94.7 billion to $93.4 billion. Officials stated that the reduction was implemented to manage imports and support domestic production.

Exports under the Fourteenth Government reached $85.6 billion, marking a significant increase compared to the same period in the previous administration.

Expanding non-oil exports has been one of the government’s primary strategies. Efforts have focused on increasing production and investment in mining and mineral industries. Last year, 23 million tons of mineral products and steel chain products were exported. However, structural imbalances reportedly prevented completion of the production chain, eliminating the potential for an additional $4 billion in exports.

The total value of metal products supplied and sold domestically exceeds $35 billion, resulting in $14 billion in non-oil exports and reducing dependence on imported raw materials for other industries.

Trade statistics for the first 10 months of the current year show the trade deficit narrowing from negative $10 billion to negative $4 billion. Transit figures also improved, decreasing from negative 15 percent to negative 4 percent.

Non-oil exports reached 130 million tons worth $45 billion. During the same period last year, 128 million tons of goods valued at $48 billion were exported, indicating a 1.33 percent increase in export volume.

China accounted for the largest share of Iran’s exports at $10.918 billion (24.25 percent), followed by:

Iraq: $7.917 billion (17.59 percent)

United Arab Emirates: $6.448 billion (14.32 percent)

Turkey: $5.66 billion (12.57 percent)

Afghanistan: $2.088 billion (4.64 percent)

Imports fell from $57.1 billion during the same period last year to $49 billion this year, reflecting a 15.5 percent decrease. Officials attributed the decline to policies supporting domestic production and prioritizing the import of essential and lower-cost intermediate goods.

In terms of import sources, the United Arab Emirates ranked first with more than $14 billion, accounting for over 30 percent of total imports. It was followed by:

China: $13.439 billion (27.37 percent)

Turkey: $7.921 billion (16.13 percent)

India: $1.547 billion (3.15 percent)

Germany: $1.436 billion (2.92 percent)

Trade facilitation has been among the government’s key priorities. Measures taken include reviving the Supreme Council for Non-Oil Export Development, restoring the Export Goods Development Office, reactivating the Office of Trade Agreements and International Organizations, convening working groups for non-oil export development, and approving executive regulations for border trade management laws. Support packages for non-oil exports and foreign currency earnings have also been introduced.

The Supreme Council for Non-Oil Export Development was originally formed under the country’s Second Development Plan to strengthen the national economy, increase the value-added of exported goods, improve product quality, modernize industries, and expand industrial exports. In 2013, it was recognized as a key economic initiative.

After nearly four years of inactivity, the council’s eleventh meeting was held on January 2 of last year, following efforts by the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade and the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, and by order of the President.

According to Iraj Masoumi, head of the council’s secretariat, the body aims to foster cross-sector coordination between the private and public sectors. Its objectives include preventing overlapping institutional functions, creating stability in export regulations, and identifying structural barriers to exports.

The council includes 11 ministers from economic and infrastructure ministries, three vice presidents, representatives from three private-sector chambers, and organizations such as the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, the Central Bank, and Customs Administration, making it a unique body for addressing complex, cross-sector export challenges.

Another major initiative of the Fourteenth Government has been the implementation of free trade agreements, particularly with Eurasian partners, aimed at expanding market access and increasing trade share.

According to reports from the secretariat of the Iran–Eurasia Free Trade Agreement, exports during the first eight months of the year reached $1.454 billion, weighing 3.884 million tons. This represents a 13 percent increase in value and a 10 percent increase in volume compared to the same period last year.

The industrial sector accounted for the largest share of exports to Eurasia at $611 million (42 percent), followed by agriculture at $474 million (32 percent), and mining and mineral industries at $233 million (16 percent).

On the import side from the Eurasian bloc, industrial goods ranked first, totaling $1.887 billion and accounting for 56 percent of imports from the union.