Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 10
By Fatih Karimov - Trend:
Iran exported just 16,000 cars in the first half of the current Iranian fiscal year (March 21-September 22) compared to 70,000 cars planned earlier.
The decline in car exports from Iran was mainly due to limitations as a result of crises in Iraq and Syria, IRNA quoted Iranian deputy industry minister Mohsen Salehinia as saying on October 10.
Hopefully, the volume of exports will increase in the second half of the year, he noted.
The number of export destinations should also be increased, he said, adding that the domestic carmakers are negotiating with renowned international carmakers to launch joint ventures with the goal of exporting 30 percent of products.
Salehinia said in April that foreign carmakers should provide 50 percent of the investment in case they are willing to join the Iranian market.
"The industry ministry has set conditions about Iranian carmakers' cooperation with foreign ones," he said, adding the carmakers should finance 50 percent of the ventures in Iran.
"Foreign auto manufacturers should also join launching research and developments centers, as well as designing joint platform," he added.
Iranian Government Spokesman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht said in June that Iran exported 27,000 cars in the past Iranian calendar year (which ended on March 20), showing 190 percent rise compared to its previous year.