Non-oil exports reached $49.7 billion last Iranian calendar year (ending on March 20), recording an 18.87% increase compared to the preceding year, when the figure stood at $41.8 billion, IRNA reported on Sunday, citing the latest statistics released by the Customs Administration. Iran imported $52.4 billion worth of different goods last year, showing an increase of 5.5% compared with a year before, the report added. China, Iraq, the UAE, Afghanistan and India were the biggest export destinations in a descending order, while wheat, iron and non-alloy steel ingots, corn, soybean meal and rice constituted the bulk of imports to Iran over the period. The UAE, China, South Korea and Switzerland were the main countries exporting goods to Iran. Iran’s deputy minister of industry, mine and trade, Mojtaba Khosrowtaj, said on Sunday that Iran is planning to increase its non-oil exports by at least 20% in the current year. The Iranian government is trying to generate new sources of income to replace its traditional oil income. To achieve the goal, the government is trying to implement various plans, including a tax-exemption program for exporters.
