(MENAFN) Non-oil exports from Ardebil province, northwest Iran, rose by 54% in the first half of the Iranian year (March 20-September 21) compared to last year. Yasoub Nejad-Mohammad, head of the province’s Finance and Economic Affairs Department, reported that 157,000 tons of non-oil products worth $80 million were exported, a 42% increase in weight. This highlights Ardebil’s growing role in Iran’s non-oil trade.
During the same period, the province imported 15,000 tons of non-oil goods valued at $105 million, a 73% increase in value and 57% in weight year on year. This growth suggests strong trade activity in Ardebil.
Nationally, Mohammad Rezvanifar, head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), reported a 6.5% rise in Iran’s non-oil exports, totaling 70 million tons worth $25.8 billion. Including oil and technical services, Iran’s total exports reached $49.6 billion. Imports during this period were $32.6 billion, leading to total trade exchanges of $82.2 billion. Without considering oil, Iran’s trade balance was negative by $6.8 billion but shifted to a positive $17 billion when included, showing resilience amidst ongoing economic challenges.
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