Iran to Become Middle East’s Titanic Petrochemical Power

Presently, Iran brings about 0.8 percent of the world petrochemical products, Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh added, saying that it will attain 2 percent until 2005 to make Iran the largest petrochemistry power all through the region.

“It is estimated that some $15 million worth of Iran’s petrochemical products will be exported up to that time.”

The country’s petrochemical output will reach a maximum of 16 million tons until the end of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2004), he stated. “It is expected to edge up 50 million tons during the fourth economic development plan (2005-10),” he said.

The total value of Iran’s petrochemical industry will attain $20 billion during a comprehensive ten-year plan, Nematzadeh uttered. Currently, the country’s petrochemical export volume is to reach $7 billion up to the end of the fourth plan.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the second Iran Pelast Exhibition, he also said that the fair happens to be a good occasion to reflect the state-of-the-art petrochemical developments in Iran and other countries. The International fair is a yearly event held on every December.

Meanwhile, he added that Iran would increase its polymer production capacity by 1.2 million tons next year. “We produce high-quality products; so we do not need any additional marketing routes,” he stressed.

Asked about the consequences of his short visit to Turkey, Nematzadeh stated that the two sides exchanged ideas concerning the Turkish titanic petrochemical company, Petkim, which commands about 30 percent of Turkey’s petrochemistry market. “We will examine whether to buy the company’s shares,” he said.

Iran has planned to consult German and French experts in order to take crucial parts in foreign markets including China, India, and, if possible, Europe, Nematzadeh stated.

“During the third development plan, petrochemical products were not subjected to the government’s price marking order,” he said, adding, “We have, however, accepted to get our products marked just before the fourth plan commences.”

ER/IS
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MNA