Iran

General Overview

Population:

68,688,433 (July 2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity):

US$561.6 billion (2005 est.)

GDP per capita:

US$8,300 (2005 est.)

GDP (real growth rate):

6.1% (2005 est.)

Industries:

petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), metal fabrication, armaments

Imports:

US$42.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Import commodities:

industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services, military supplies

Exports:

US$55.42 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Export commodities:

petroleum, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets

Alberta's export to Iran:

CDN$79 million (2005)

Alberta's main exports to Iran:

machinery, barley and scientific and technical equipment

Canada's main exports to Iran:

barley, soy beans, industrial machinery and equipment, wood and paper products and medical products

For detailed information about Iran, the following websites provide economic, political and historical information:

CIA World Factbook
Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy
World Bank

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Export Statistics

Alberta's International Trade Review
An analysis of Alberta's international exports of goods and services. Published by Alberta Employment, Immigration & Industry.
Trade Data Online
Customized reports on Canada's trade with over 200 countries.

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Alberta-Iran Relations

Alberta and Iran share common interests in the development of their oil and gas sectors.

World Relations
Alberta International and Intergovernmental Relations summary of Alberta's relationship with the Iran.

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Sector Opportunities

Alberta International Marketing Strategy (AIMS)

Ensures the Alberta government's trade promotion and investment attraction activities are focused on key international markets.

According to AIMS, Iran has been identified as a priority market in the following sectors:
- Architecture, Engineering and Construction
- Industrial Machinery and Equipment
Mining Equipment and Services

Iran has the world's largest deposit of zinc and the second largest deposit of copper, as well as significant deposits of iron, uranium, and lead. However, extraction efforts at this stage are on a small scale. The majority of mines and exploration sites in Iran are small-scale, with about 85 per cent of them private or co-operatives. Opportunities are abundant for firms who can offer equipment, expertise or investment. Foreign companies are already active in virtually every aspect of mineral production in Iran -- from surveying to conducting feasibility studies to providing equipment for smelters.
Oil and Gas Equipment and Services

Foreign companies are allowed to contribute to the development of new oilfields through buy-back deals, creating new opportunities for investment. In addition, Iran's parliament has authorized the government to seek $9.5 billion in foreign investment for various projects, including some 20 oil and gas projects in the Persian Gulf, refineries at Bandar Abbas and Lavan Island, as well as several offshore oil platforms.

Iran has begun to pay attention to the sour gas present in its many fields. There is real potential in all stages of sour gas, including drilling, retrieval, safety, transportation and distillates.

For additional information on business opportunities and resources for market intelligence, visit:

Electronic Business Intelligence Service (EBIS)
The on-line source for export market intelligence accessible to Alberta businesses working to expand into the global marketplace.
Export Source - Market and Business Opportunities
Online tool for new and experienced exporters.
Virtual Trade Commissioner
Gateway to market information.

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Exporting Your Products - Services for Exporters

Export Alert!
A resource for exporters to learn about changes in foreign export regulations.
Exporter Needs Continuum
Lists services that can benefit your company and who offers them.
Export Resources
Resources for both new and experienced exporters.
International Trade Canada
Sector reports as well as a list of staff contacts that can assist exporters.