Petroleum Minister and NPC President's New Year messages

On the eve of the new Iranian year, Petroleum Minister, B. N. Zanganeh and the NPC President,
M. R. Nematzadeh issued separate New Year messages. In a part of his message, HE Zanganeh spotlighted on the petrochemicals sector saying that the export of over $800m worth of petrochemical products was a record high in generating foreign currency earnings, placing petrochemicals atop the country's non-oil exports. Elsewhere he said, "various activities being carried out at the Petrochemical Special Economic Zone usher in the establishment of a great economic-industrial hub" adding that "the official inauguration of a paraxylene plant in February 01 signifies that the Zone is open to foreign and local investors". Petroleum Minister noted that "with an investment of $3bn and RIALS 550bn in this Zone, products having an annual worth of $3bn will be supplied to the local and international markets within the coming two three years."


In his message, Mr. Nematzadeh highlighted the NPC's activities and achievements in the past year as well as the expectations and projections for the New Year. Excerpt:

"In the past year, output increase in the existing complexes, institutionalization of industrial research, preserving the priority of supplying the local downstream industries with feedstocks and being present in the export markets were among goals that we achieved. Several projects and infrastructural facilities were officially inaugurated by President Khatami including Petrochemical Special Economic Zone, paraxylene and sulfur granulation projects. Contracts for most of the third five-year plan projects were concluded. Hopefully, the remaining contracts will be finalized early in the New Year. Implementation work for the projects in the PETZONE has speeded up and these projects are proceeding satisfactorily. Meanwhile, preparation has been made for starting execution work on the projects in Assaluyeh. The projects in this region will witness vigorous activities in the New Year."

Else where in his message, Nematzadeh said that, "production reached 11.8m tonnes up by 7% on the previous year output" while exports revenues soared up a record high of over $800m."