External Debt Falls 27%

Foreign debt was $6.3 billion by the end of the last calendar year (March), the Central Bank of Iran said -- almost 27.6% lower on the year before.

Medium and long-term debt was $4.5 billion or 71.5% of the total. Short-term debt was in the range of $1.80 billion, accounting for the rest. Short-term debt includes all commitment with original maturity of one year or less plus interest on long-term debt.