Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.27 /Trend, A.Yusifzade /
The goods, exported from the Iranian Isfahan Customs, have increased by seven percent in terms of weight up to 767,363 tons and in terms of value by 25 percent up to $667.231 million for the first nine months of this year [current Iranian calendar started on March 21, 2010], the general manager of Isfahan Customs Office Forood Asgari, was quoted by Bena as saying.
Asgari said that the largest volumes of goods exported via Isfahan Customs fell to carpets, iron, copper, stone and ceramic artifacts.
Trade between Iran and the world's six major powers increased well into 2010, despite international sanctions and tough financial restrictions, according to International Monetary Fund figures and individual foreign ministries, United States Institute of Peace reported.
The United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China are among the countries negotiating with Iran. The biggest increase was observed in goods imported from Iran. Five of the six powers are negotiating with Iran now over its nuclear program imported more from Iran than they exported.
U.S. imports from Iran increased by six percent in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, while U.S exports to Iran -mainly foodstuffs, medical goods, education materials exempted from sanctions-decreased by 26 percent. Great Britain had the largest percentage increase in imports from Iran during the same period, up to 203 percent. Germany had the second largest percentage increase in imports, up to 97 percent.
European trade with Iran partially increased because companies were wrapping up contracts before new European Union sanctions in July, German analyst Walter Posch said. Trade data from the IMF and foreign ministries can differ due to various reasons.
Earlier, Iranian Deputy Commerce Minister Massoud Movahedi said that despite sanctions against Tehran, the level of the country's trade ties with other countries is on the rise.
The total value of Iran's exports reached $14.448 billion. It was marked by a 23 percent increase compared to last year.
"Based on such policy, developing relations with the countries of Asia and Oceania is among the government's top priorities," the Iranian official explained.