Support for Iranian Products

The sacred Islamic system vigilantly and prudently seeks progress, fulfillment of talents, and maintenance of national honor, security, and strength, within the framework of the strategies of the soft power of Resistance Economy; and via support and reinforcement of Iranian products. Meanwhile, implementation of Resistance Economy policies, and reinforcement of Iranian goods is a surefire way of fulfillment of this significant goal, and resolution of problems.

The Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, notes that the economic policies should be Resistance Economy policies; an economy which maintains inner strength; can steadfast; and an economy which is not impacted by changes in different regions of the world.

Today, we focus on one of the other important economic capacities of Iran in the petrochemical industry.

Iran possesses valuable assets. A significant part of this national wealth is consisted of natural sources.

Iran ranks first in the world in regards to oil and natural gas reserves, which are major advantages, shaping a significant capacity for national production, especially within the framework of oil and natural gas industries, incorporating petrochemical products.

Upon reliance on these capacities, creativity, and indigenous know-how, Iran has produced petrochemicals; creating larger capacities for exporting Iranian products; generating jobs; providing raw material for Iranian factories, and undoing the dependence of Iranian factories on import of raw materials.

Iran maintains significant potentials and highly skilled human resources. During the oil industry exhibition, which was recently convened, foreign visitors admitted that Iran can epitomize knowledge in Middle East.

Iran's petrochemical industry, despite of experiencing many ups and downs, is a developing, valuable industry, with a high added value. This industry is embarking upon a new chapter in its operations

Iran's petrochemical industry is developing with the usage of technical knowhow, and the investments of international companies, and via reliance on the abilities of domestic companies, while making resounding accomplishments.

During the recent years, and throughout the era of US sanctions, Iran's National Petrochemical Industry Company has established fresh capacities in production of petrochemicals, in line with sustainable and balanced development of petrochemical industry, such that the contribution of petrochemical industry to the national economy, and effective presence of Iran in the global markets have been promoted.

Throughout the 5^th National Development Plan, twenty-six petrochemical projects were carried out, mainly by the private sector, adding ten million tons to the national production capacity.

Petrochemical industry plays a pivotal role in Iran's economy. This industry has had the highest influence on adoption of policies for development of exports. The petrochemical sector has been the most successful sector in Iran's economy.

According to a senior expert in petrochemical industry, this national industry, whose history dates back to more than fifty years ago, is currently leaping forward, and is establishing its status in global markets, outrivaling the neighboring oil producing countries in order to prove its huge influence on Iran's industries and economy, and to cover the path to growth and development. Nonetheless, according to this expert, this could be a challenging path.

In the past, many industries, such as household appliances industry used imported polymers. However, currently, these polymers are produced domestically, while maintaining a competitive edge to the similar foreign-made polymers.

Currently, Iran's petrochemical production capacity stands at 32.7 million tons, a part of which has been fulfilled. In Iran, production of polymers has been bolstered from 480 tons in the year 2000 to nearly 5000 tons in the current year. Within the 6^th National Development Plan, maintenance of the value of petrochemical productions in the oil industry has been highly emphasized.

Undoubtedly, attraction of foreign investments is vital for all countries across the world. The importance of these investments is redoubled in oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, especially in oil-producing countries. Iran is no exception to this rule. Many countries are keen to bank on this industry. Iran's background in petrochemical industry, and possession of appropriate infrastructure, and highly-skilled human resources, have made investment in Iran's petrochemical industry an attractive choice for foreign investors. In the meantime, eighty new projects, with a capacity of more than 90 million tons have been foreseen for Iran's petrochemical industry, based on the 6^th National Development Plan. Despite of US acts of sabotage, foreign investors are highly interested in cooperating with Iranian companies in petrochemical projects.

Given the numerous advantages of Iran's petrochemical industry, it is foreseen that the reached memoranda of understanding will soon turn into long-term contracts, enabling Iran's petrochemical sector to cover the path to progress with a faster pace. 

MR/SS