Rouhani: Boosting Oil Output a Priority

Preserving the current oil output level and making efforts to boost extraction from the country's massive hydrocarbon reserves top the lucrative oil industry's list of priorities.
President Hassan Rouhani made the statement on the sidelines of the 23rd Iran International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition that commenced at Tehran's International Fairground on May 6, Mehr News Agency reported.
Iran Oil Show 2018, the four-day exhibit, is sponsored by Oil Ministry and its subsidiary the National Iranian Oil Company. It hosts more than 2,000 domestic and foreign companies, the event's official website said.
"The more oil and derivatives we produce and export, the more power we will gain in the region," Rouhani said, adding that although there are other key industries, oil and gas production is more strategic as it impacts people's quality of life directly.
The president noted that oil has always been a political concern in the country, as it overshadows not only economic but also social issues.