Iran Economic News Headlines for Today - October 27

1. Deputy Oil Minister Ali Kardor: Foreigners can now buy oil from Iran through the Iran Energy Exchange [aka IRENEX]. (IRNA)
2. Chairman of Iran-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce Behrouz Poursoleyman: Tehran-Baku trade experienced a 75% rise during the first half of the current Iranian year [March 21-Sept. 22]. (ILNA)
3. Iranian envoy to Belarus Mostafa Oveysi: In the last Iranian year {March 2017-18} and for the first time after 25 years Iran recorded a positive trade balance of $9.5 million with Belarus.
4. Habibollah Jahansaz, the head of Iran Tea Organization: Close to 9,000 tons of Iranian tea were exported during the first half of the current Iranian year. (Donya-e-Eqtesad) 
5. Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojjati: Iran is the seventh biggest producer of egg and chicken in the world. (IRNA)
6. Reza Rahmani, nominee for Industries, Mining and Trade Ministry: Protecting industrial enterprises will be the centerpiece of the ministry’s plans. (Fars News Agency)
7. Omid Ali Parsa, the head of the Statistical Center of Iran: SCI will safeguard the confidentiality of the data it collects from people. (ILNA)
8. Deputy Industries Minister Barat Qobadian: Iranians pollute the world 72% more than their per capita share [of carbon dioxide emissions]. (IRNA)
9. Alireza Manaqebi, the head of Iranian Importers’ Association: An oil economy is corruption-prone by nature. (Otaghiranonline.ir)
10. Mohsen Delaviz, the head of Iranian Fuel Conservation Company: Between 10 and 35 million liters of gasoline are smuggled out of the country daily. (ILNA)
11. First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri: Information technology will be the main driver of Iran’s economy in the future. (Mehr News Agency)
12. Information and Communications Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi: Fluctuations in foreign currency rates slow down the growth of the communications sector. (IRNA)
13. Director of IT Department of Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran Mostafa Ramandi: Out of 130,000 manufacturing units licensed by the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade, only 19% are complying with ISIRI standards. (IRNA)
14. Abbas Abrishami, the head of Iran’s National Union of Elevator: Ninety percent of elevators [in Iran] are substandard. (IRNA)
15. Hassan Salehi, the head of Iran Fisheries Organization: Per capita fish consumption in Iran is half the global average of 21 kilograms. (ILNA)
16. Alireza Kolahi Samadi, a member of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture: With no copper mine in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, the duo’s exports are 10 times more than Iran’s. (IRNA)
17. Director General of East Azarbaijan Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization Morteza Abdar: Inbound tourism in East Azarbaijan grew by 17% during the first half of the current Iranian year. (Donya-e-Eqtesad)