Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 18
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
Hormozgan Province, located in southern Iran, ranks first nationally in bitumen production, Maryam Memari, director of the non-metallic industry department of the Hormozgan Industry, Mining and Trade Organization, told IRNA, Trend reports.
Memari said that 6,7 million tons of bitumen is produced in the Hormozgan Province, adding that 24 bituminous production facilities are operating in the province.
"More than 50 percent of Iran’s bitumen exports are carried out by this province. This, in turn, makes up 6 percent of the total global exports," he said.
Memari added that measures should be taken to ensure the sustainable supply of raw materials and eliminate export problems caused by sanctions for the development of the bitumen industry in Hormozgan.
According to Memari, Iran's Hormozgan Province has exported 1,95 million tons of bitumen worth $550 millions since the beginning of the current Iranian year (started March 21, 2018).
According to Memari, bitumen exports for this year rose by 18 percent compared to the same period last year.
"Bitumen has been mainly exported to India, Kenya, Tanzania and the Gulf countries," he said.
The US imposed sanctions on Iran in November 2018.