Tehran - Oil Minister Rostam Ghassemi said that Iranian oil industry in early stages of South Pars depended on foreign financial sources up to 90 percent whereas such a reliance has been cut to almost half by now.
The minister made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of the 18th International Oil, Gas, Refineries and Petrochemical Exhibition here Wednesday.
He expressed hope that the oil industryˈs dependence on foreign sources in all areas including in different phases of South Pars project will be reduced even more.
He referred to the governmentˈs notable investments in oil industry in recent years and said only during the past Iranian year (ended 20, March 2013) dlrs 30 billion was invested in the area.
He hoped the figure wouldl grow this year.
The minister also pointed to a number of successful projects and plans implemented last year and said upon the completion of a new refinery in Arak, Markazi province, imports of oil products to the country totally stopped.
He stressed that there is no kind of oil product imports in the country any longer.
Underlining that Iran's oil sector welcomes cooperation of international companies, Ghassemi added that the government will continue to offer special support to domestic industries.
Pointing to Iran's pivotal role in supplying the energy needed by the world, he said precise programming is underway to spend crude oil income on infrastructure projects instead of using it for routine expenses.
According to the minister, 70 petrochemical units are currently under construction across the country which will add a total of 130 million tons of products to the national output once implemented.
This, he noted, will give Iran the highest position in the region.
© IRNA 2013
