Speaking on the sidelines of a conference on
Iran's petrochemical industry in Paris, Reza Norouzzadeh, CEO of the National
Petrochemical Company (NPC), said that implementation of current and future
projects of the Iranian petrochemical industry requires around $100 billion in
fresh investment; "therefore, we are committed and ready for any
cooperation and partnership with investors."
"In the field of local manufacturing in
terms of technical savvy, technology, manufacturing of parts and items etc.,
vast potentialities in this industry, especially in Arak, Isfahan, Shiraz and
Mahshahr, have been created. Currently, many of the equipment and catalysts
needed in the industry are supplied from the domestic market," he said.
The official, who is also deputy petroleum minister
for petrochemical affairs, further touched on the value of Iran's petrochemical
exports and the industry's production plan in the future.
"Today, the value of Iran's petrochemical
exports is around $14 billion, which is estimated to reach $50 billion by the
end of the sixth development plan (to 2022) with 100 million tons of annual
petrochemical output in the country," he said.
"The industry is at a very good state in Iran
given the existence of infrastructure, skilled human resources, knowledge and
technology of manufacturing equipment and can compete with foreign
companies," said Mr. Norouzzadeh.
The two-day conference opened in Paris on April
26.