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IRAN COMMERCE, Iran Chamber of Commerce, The Iran Chamber Vice-President said: "Before the Islamic revolution 98% of Iran's foreign exchange earning was from oil export. During the first year of the Islamic republic, this figure decreased to 92 percent.
Unfortunately, the problems of imposed war with Iraq, customs restrictions and bureaucracy increased our dependence on oil revenues again to such an extent that 97% of the foreign exchange was obtained from oil exports.
Mr. Asgarouladi added that in the last Iranian year 18% of Iran's imports were financed by non-oil exports, thus indicating a big leap towards economic independence.
He said: "Statistics show that, in the current year, the non-oil exports will provide for 25% of our imports."
Referring to the above statistics, Mr. Asgarouladi said that the real share of non-oil exports in foreign earnings is more than 30 percent.
He added: "During the last 6 years, this share increased from 3% to 30%-35%, and with an appropriate planning, it can easily reach 60 or 70 percent." He pointed out that Iran's annual oil revenues are US $11 billion. In other words, Iran has already achieved 45% to 50% of its objectives in the fields of non-oil exports.
He added that, in the next 10 years, non-oil exports could double and reach US $10 billion. He also stressed the necessity of an Iranian presence in the international markets, in order to promote the export of its industrial, agricultural and mineral goods.
With regard to mineral products export, Mr. Asgarouladi said that many potentials in the mineral sector are not yet exploited, and Iran's industrial and mineral products should be presented in the farthest parts of the world.
The "Government's co-operation, presence in international fairs, setting up data banks for exporters, holding of regular meetings at export high councils, contributions of the Ministry of Agriculture to the cultivation of export markets in Central Asia, and encouragement to producers to export are all necessary to develop non-oil export," said the Iran Chamber Vice-President.
He added that producers could meet the needs of foreign exchange through the exportation of their products.
Mr. Asgarouladi expressed hope that in the next 10 years, the Islamic Republic would be able to export US $12 to 14 billion of agricultural, industrial, mineral and sea products, which means that by the end of second economic 5-year plan (1993-1998) about 50% of import needs will be financed through non-oil exports.
He concluded that by the end of third 5-years plan (year 2003), Iran could supply its import needs without relying on oil, the income of which will then be allocated to economic infrastructural activities.
