Financial Tribune - October 21 is traditionally marked as the National Day of Export in Iran by economic players from both public and private sectors.

This year�s event, owing to its concurrence with the Arbaeen mourning ceremony, was put off to a later date by Minister of Industries, Mining and Trade Reza Rahmani. However, this has not prevented policymakers and economic players from reviewing the current state of exports in Iran and its future.

Speaking at the meeting of High Council of Free Zones on Monday, First Vice President Es�haq Jahangiri called on governmental institutions active in the field of exports to lend their support to exporters of non-oil products, ILNA reported.

�As we speak, exporters are at the forefront of the economic war waged against our country. Despite all [external] coercive measures, Iran�s exports in the first half of the current [fiscal] year [March 21-Sept. 22] increased by more than 22% [in terms of volume], which is indicative of redoubled efforts made by both the private and public sectors. Directors of free trade zones need to draw up a special plan for improving exports via these regions to create a satisfactory balance between imports and exports,� he said.