(MENAFN) Ardebil province in northwest Iran saw a 54% rise in non-oil exports in the first half of the current Iranian year (March 20-September 21), with 157,000 tons exported, worth USD 80 million. This is a 42% increase in weight compared to last year, highlighting Ardebil’s growing role in Iran’s non-oil trade.
Additionally, the province imported 15,000 tons of non-oil goods valued at USD 105 million during the same period, a 73% increase in value and a 57% increase in weight from the previous year. This growth in both exports and imports indicates a thriving trade environment in Ardebil.
On a national level, Iran’s non-oil exports also increased by 6.5%, reaching 70 million tons valued at USD 25.8 billion. Overall, the country’s first-half exports, including oil and services, totaled USD 49.6 billion, while imports reached USD 32.6 billion, with gold valued at USD 2.5 billion.
Despite a negative trade balance of USD 6.8 billion excluding oil and services, including them shifted the balance to a positive USD 17 billion, showing the resilience of Iran’s economy.
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