Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami visited Assaluyeh where the large South Pars gas field and several world-scale petrochemical projects are being developed.

The Head of Expediency Council Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani visited NPC's projects and facilities in Bandar Imam and Assaluyeh saying that paying further attention to petrochemical industry will lead Iran to a win-win situation. He said Iran is well positioned to develop its petrochemical sector "Given the country's gas reserves, availability of qualified workforce and being situated next to international waterways".