More than 684,000 tons of goods worth around $518 million were exported from Markazi Province in the last Iranian year (ended March 19), indicating an 8% rise in volume and 17% decrease in value, according to Mehdi Mirashrafi, director general of the province’s customs bureau. The official explained that the fall in value comes amid global decline in oil and commodity prices, IRNA reported. The exports mainly consisted of hydrogenated oil, high and low density polyethylene, polyester fibers, cast iron molds, ordinary and white Portland cement, glass and mirrors, tiles and ceramics, detergents, frozen chicken, biscuits and chips, which headed to over 40 countries, including Afghanistan, Turkey, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Italy, Azerbaijan, Tunisia, Spain, Kazakhstan, France, Georgia, Belgium, Somalia and Bangladesh. Imports stood at $216 million during the same period, showing a 47% increase. Markazi Province in western Iran is the country’s fourth biggest industrial hub and a major producer of travertine stones, plants and flowers.
