Iranian Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Alireza Razm Hosseini said that the country's non-oil exports rose by 50 percent in the first quarter of the current Iranian year (started March 21, 2021) as compared to last year's corresponding period.

"Through the efforts and planning of the administration apparatuses and the cooperation of the Judicial system, the Iranian exporters could overcome the hurdles and increase their exports volume," Razm Hosseini said.

He pointed out that exports of goods from the country in the first three months of the year increased by 50 percent compared to the same period last year and the country's trade balance was positive and reached $500 million.

He reiterated that the sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic could not stop Iran's exports.

In relevant remarks last month, Chairman of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture for Exports Commission Jamshid Nafar said that Iran's annual exports and imports will increase up to 20 to 40 percent after trade infrastructure development is done.

Nafar said that if the grounds are set for global trade, this sector will grow by 40 percent.

Turning to the growth of trade activities in the first two months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21 to May 21), he said, “Unlike the previous year, the trade activities are on the upward course. Thus, we are witnessing considerable growth in exports.”

In relevant remarks in early May, Spokesman for the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) Rouhollah Latifi said that his country exported non-oil products worth over $34.998 billion to 143 countries during the last calendar year (ended March 20).