Speaking at the ceremony marking the National Day of Exports on Saturday, Abbas Aliabadi said the possibility of the exchange of goods within the framework of a bartering deal with Belarus was launched during his recent visit to this European country.

He stressed that countries that concentrated on export-based production have been successful.

Turning to the requirements of attaining eight-percent economic growth specified in the 7^th Five-Year Socioeconomic and Cultural Development Plan, Aliabadi stated that the country needs a huge investment of between $60 billion and $80 billion to attain 20 percent growth in exports of non-oil commodities.

Exports are the driving force of the country’s economic progress, the industry minister said, adding that promoting the export of non-oil goods and getting rid of crude oil exports is one of the pivotal goals of the country’s economic development.