Exports from Khuzestan Province’s customs terminals hit 17.35 million tons worth $6.77 billion in the fiscal 2021-22, registering a 75% and 12% year-on-year growth in weight and value respectively, according to Gholamreza Baluti Mirza, a local official.
Different types of construction materials, clinker (raw material used in cement production), food products, fruit and vegetable, home appliances and handicrafts were the main exported products.
Iraq, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, China, India, Turkey and Afghanistan were the main export destinations, IRNA reported.
Meanwhile, 20.56 million tons of goods worth $10 billion were imported into the province during the same period, registering a 23% and 18% growth in weight and value respectively.
Essential goods, capital goods, industrial raw materials, mechanical and electronic devices were among the main imports.
Khuzestan is the major oil-producing region of Iran and one of the wealthiest provinces. It is home to Yadavaran Field, which is a major oil field. The province holds 80% of Iran's onshore oil reserves and 57% of Iran's total oil reserves, making it indispensable to the Iranian economy.
Local agricultural products include wheat, barley, oilseeds, rice, eucalyptus, medicinal herbs and sugarcane. The province is also home to many palm and citrus farms.
The province hosts the Arvand Free Trade Zone and the PETZONE (Petrochemical Special Economic Zone in Mahshahr).
The Arvand zone is located on the northern tip of Persian Gulf and borders Khuzestan Province and the major cities of Khorramshahr, Abadan and Minoushahr. The zone is spread across 8,600 hectares and includes administrative, tourism and commercial areas.
The free zone is of special significance, as it is in the neighborhood of Iraq and Kuwait.
Bordering Arvand River and beyond that southern Iraq, the FTZ has a unique proposition on offer. It has direct access to the Iraqi market.
Among all of Iran’s neighboring countries, Iraq is the largest market for Iranian products.
In 2004, the zone’s transformation from a rural to industrial and commercial region started. It was officially demarcated by 2005.
Some 190 production units are active in Arvand FTZ.
