Iran's petrochemical industry is growing at a brisk pace. The industry is now implementing a strategic plan that will raise production capacities to 30 million tonnes by 2005 increasing the industry's share in Iran's gross domestic product (GDP) from 1.5% to 3.4%. As the mainstay of Iran's petrochemical industry, NPC has embarked on a campaign to boost its role in the petrochemical world that is commensurate with the country's strong feedstock position. The bulk of NPC's development projects are being built in Bandar Imam Petrochemical Special Economic Zone in Khuzestan province and Pars Special Economic/Energy Zone in Assaluyeh, in Bushehr province, both located on the northern coast of the Persian Gulf.
During May and June 2002, several top-ranking government officials visited the sites in these two zones to see for themselves how the industry is evolving under the auspices of NPC.
The visitors included Hojat-ol-Islam Hajj Seyed Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the late Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Speaker of Iran's parliament, the Majlis, Hojat-ol-Islam Mahdi Karroubi, Interior Minister, Hojat-ol-Islam Mousavi Lari, Head of Management and Planning Organization, Mr. Sattarifar, and MPs from the budget and planning commission. During their visits, they toured petrochemical projects at the zones and were briefed on the NPC's latest achievements.