Chinese Investors Eyeing Projects in Iran’s Southern Port

(FNA)- A group of Chinese investors are visiting the special economic zone in Imam Khomeini Port in Southern Iran to finance the projects in there.

The Chinese investors voiced their willingness to start large-scale investments in the port in a meeting with Sa'adallah Abdollahi, the director general of Khuzestan Province's Ports and Maritime Organization, in Imam Khomeini Port on Monday.

The Chinese delegation visited all major projects of the zone, and said that they are ready to help Iran in financing Imam Khomeini projects.

On Sunday, Deputy Head of Iran-China joint Chamber of Commerce Majid Reza Hariri announced that Trade exchanges between Iran and China have amounted to $50bln, showing a 30 percent growth.

“Iran’s trading with China has risen by 30 percent, and their economic transactions have reached $50bln. Off course, it is possible to witness further increase in bilateral economic transactions,” Hariri said.

The Iranian official noted that Iran is importing service goods for road, power plant, petrochemicals, machinery, locomotive and wagon. China is buying Iranian gas condensations, petrochemicals, minerals, iron ore and decorative stones.

Iran’s exports to China include 30 percent of the country’s entire exports. China is buying half of Iranian oil while Iran is under western sanctions.

The official also said pistachio, carpet, saffron and date are among other Iranian goods which have appropriate market in China.

According to the report, China's exports in 2014 amounted to $22bln which enjoyed a growth of 87 percent compared to the previous year, which was $11.7bln.

Meanwhile, China's import from Iran in 2014 rose reportedly 10% and reached $25.5bln from $23.1bln in 2013.

Iran is currently China's third largest supplier of crude, providing Beijing with roughly 12 percent of its total annual oil consumption.