It is the policy of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to develop its petrochemical industry in order to generate further added value from natural gas as well as condensates and to expand the country's export.

HE Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, Petroleum Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, IPF 2002.

In petrochemicals, Iran has demonstrated its ability to develop, structure and manage major high value adding projects and shows an impressive track record of increasing exports in both value and volume. Shell is very pleased to be working towards the development of a major petrochemicals complex with NPC in the B.I.K. Petrochemical Zone and a world-class GTL project in Assaluyeh.

Jeroen van der Veer, Group Managing Director, Shell Group of Companies, Royal Dutch Shell, IPF 2002.

We believe that the establishment of a GTL industry would perfectly align with Iran's stated objectives of developing domestic and export markets. Early entrance into developing a multi-billion dollar GTL industry would firmly establish Iran in a leading position, on both a regional and global scale. Sasol looks forward to exploring opportunities to assist in meeting Iran's GTL aspirations.

Pat Davis, Executive Director, Sasol, IPF 2002.

NPC is now moving towards application of "project finance" schemes for its development projects in particular in joint venture projects with international partners.

M. H. Rahbari, NPC Board Member and Managing Director of NPC International, IPF 2002.