Iran: Industrial Investments Up Twofold in 3 Quarters

EghtesadOnline: More than 2.16 quadrillion rials ($16.25 billion) worth of investments are expected to be made in Iranian industrial units for which permits were issued during the nine months to Dec. 21.

News ID: ۷۴۶۸۹۴

11 March 2019

About 420.71 trillion rials ($3.16 billion) were invested in projects for which operating license were issued during the same period.

The volumes of abovementioned investments show a respective growth of 89.1% and 104.8% compared with the similar period of last year, according to the latest report released by the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade.

Establishment Permits

A total of 16,694 establishment permits were issued over the nine months, registering an 18.9% growth year-on-year, according to Financial Tribune.

The upcoming projects are expected to create a total of 393,455 jobs—24.3% more compared with last year's corresponding period.

Semnan Province with 1,338, Khorasan Razavi Province with 1,261 and Yazd Province with 1,146 had the largest share of the establishment permits.

With more than 183.7 trillion rials (over $1.38 billion) worth of investment for 611 establishment permits, Khuzestan Province will have attracted the highest amount of investments.

The number of establishment permits issued for industrial units located in free trade and special economic zones grew by 48.6% to 266. Over 361.94 trillion rials ($2.72 billion) worth of investments are expected to be made into these projects to generate 13,692 jobs and register a 118.7% and 44.5% YOY growth respectively.

The field of foodstuff and beverages saw the highest number of establishment permits (2,339) to create the highest number of jobs among other fields (55,798).

The highest amount of investment in to-be established units is expected to be made in projects related to the production of coke and oil-derived products (660.39 trillion rials or $4.96 billion). The volume accounts for about 30.6% of all investments to be made in projects for which the establishment permits were issued over the period.

Operating License

A total of 4,287 operating license were issued during the nine months, which shows a 3.9% growth YOY. These projects are expected to create a total of 76,505 jobs, 10.7% more compared with last year's corresponding period.

Isfahan Province with 430, East Azarbaijan Province with 312 and Alborz Province with 273 had the biggest share of all operating licenses issued during the period.

With close to 193.41 trillion rials ($1.45 billion) invested in 68 industrial projects, Hormozgan Province attracted the highest amount of investments. The investment volume accounted for 46% of total investments made in the projects for which operating licenses were issued.

The number of operating licenses issued for industrial projects located in free trade and special economic zones stood at 227, indicating a 12.4% growth YOY.

More than 23.43 trillion rials (around $176.24 million) worth of investments were made in these projects to create 6,366 jobs, registering a 312.1% and 80.3% growth respectively YOY.

The field of rubber and plastic production saw the highest number of operating licenses with 669.

Projects in the field of food and beverages, for which operating licenses were issued created the highest number of jobs (10,865).

The highest volume of investments were made in projects related to coke and oil derivatives production (207.59 trillion rials or $1.56 billion), accounting for 59.3% of all investments made in industrial units for which operating licenses were issued.

The number of greenfield projects for which operating licenses were issued stood at 2,303, of which 178 were for those located in free trade and special economic zones. The remaining 1,984 were issued for operating brownfield projects, 49 of which were located in FTZs and special economic zones.

25% Decline in Mineral Production Permits

A total of 436 mineral production permits were issued during the same nine months, registering a 21.7% fall compared with the similar period of last year, the report also shows.

These permits are expected to create 3,561 jobs, which indicate a 19.4% decline year-on-year.

The nominal mineral extraction capacity of these projects stands at more than 12.83 million tons, which shows a 62.7% decrease compared with the corresponding period of last year.

Khorasan Razavi Province with 41, South Khorasan with 31 and Khuzestan Province with 2 had the largest share of production permits issued during the period.

Mineral production permits issued over the eight months are expected to create the highest number of jobs in southern Kerman Province (439), South Khorasan Province (367), Isfahan Province (273) and Khorasan Razavi Province (241).

The provinces of Khuzestan, Hormozgan and East Azarbaijan, with more than 2.21 million tons, 966,600 tons and 787,300 tons, had the highest amount of nominal extraction capacities.

According to the report, 759 exploration permits were issued over the eight-month period to register an 8% increase YOY.

Production costs stood at more than 426.1 billion rials (over $3.2 million), registering a 13.6% decrease YOY.

About $15 in Exports

Iran’s industrial exports amounted to $14 billion, while those of the mining sector hit $970.2 million during the nine months to Dec. 21, the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade's official news service Shata reported.

The report added that banks and credit institutions paid 1.37 quadrillion rials ($10.33 billion) in loans to the industrial and mining sectors combined, which shows a 16.1% rise YOY.

This is while the commerce sector received 656 trillion rials ($4.93 billion) worth of loans, registering a 16.4% rise YOY.

The ministry’s report also points out that 50 foreign investment projects (industrial, mining and commerce) with a total investment of $837 million were approved during the nine months.