Iran exported $16.64 billion worth of non-oil commodities to its 15 neighboring counties during the first 10 months of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2020-Jan. 19), more than $10.7 billion of which were shipped to Arab states, according to the director general of Trade Promotion Organization of Iran’s Arab and African Affairs Bureau.
“Topping the list of neighboring Arab countries was Iraq, to which Iran exported $6.3 billion worth of goods during the period. It was followed by the UAE with $3.7 billion, Oman with $323 million, Qatar with $134 million, Kuwait with $125 million and Bahrain with $6 million,” Farzad Piltan was also quoted as saying by IRNA.
The official noted that Iraq, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain were Iran’s first, second, seventh, 10th, 12th and 14th biggest export destinations from among its 15 neighbors.
Piltan noted that no direct exports were made to Saudi Arabia over the 10-month period.
Overall trade near $60 billion
Iran’s overall foreign trade, excluding oil exports, stood at 122.8 million tons worth $58.7 billion in the 10-month period ending Jan. 19.
According to Mehdi Mirashrafi, the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, exports accounted for 94.54 million tons worth $28.06 billion and imports 28.24 million tons worth $30.63 billion of the sum.
Main export destinations over the period included China with 22.8 million tons of non-oil goods worth $7.2 billion, Iraq with 22.3 million tons worth $6.3 billion, the UAE with 12.8 million tons worth $3.7 billion, Turkey with 5.7 million tons worth $2 billion and Afghanistan with 5.8 million tons worth $1.9 billion.
Major exporters to Iran were again China with 2.9 million tons worth $7.9 billion, the UAE with 4.1 million tons worth $7.4 billion, Turkey with 4 million tons worth $3.4 billion, India with 1.9 million tons worth $1.8 billion and Germany with 966,000 tons of goods worth $1.4 billion.