Arsalan Zareh made the remarks at a coordination meeting for the
national conference on “Investment in Completing the Petrochemical Value Chain
to Finance Major Projects,” hosted by the National Petrochemical Company.
“Although Bushehr accounts for only about 1.5% of the country’s land
and population, its contribution to national GDP and industrial output exceeds
6%, making it the third-largest economy among Iran’s provinces,” Zareh said.
The province holds 88% of Iran’s petrochemical capacity and produces
58% of the country’s petrochemical products, supplying over 74% of the nation’s
natural gas. Current projects in the Pars Special Economic Zone exceed $18
billion, with several nearing completion.
Zareh stressed that the province’s development strategy prioritizes
strengthening the petrochemical value chain and supporting midstream and
downstream industries. “Completing the value chain not only ensures
profitability and financing for companies but also reduces import dependency
and generates sustainable employment,” he said.
He highlighted investment-ready areas in the northern province,
including a 150-hectare site in the Deir region for a methanol cluster, with 50
hectares already approved for an industrial park. In southern Bushehr, projects
in South Pars have received approximately €2 billion in funding, with €1.7
billion from the National Development Fund already allocated to midstream
initiatives.
Zareh also noted efforts to integrate knowledge-based and
technology-driven companies, including the allocation of ten hectares for a
technology and innovation campus in Asaluyeh. Major holdings such as the
Persian Gulf Holding and Jam Petrochemical Company are undertaking early-stage
initiatives to expand midstream and downstream production, with a joint
technical roadmap under preparation.
The conference, scheduled for Nov. 20–21, will include specialized
panels highlighting Bushehr’s capabilities in energy, petrochemicals, industry,
and infrastructure, and is expected to see the signing of new agreements to
advance the petrochemical value chain.