IRNA -- Managing Director of Sarakhs Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) Ahmad Sadeqi Golmakani said here on Saturday that 30,000 tons of goods worth 60 million dollars have been exported from this zone over past year.

He told IRNA that the exported goods included light and heavy hydrocarbon, construction materials, cookies and chocolates, iron ore, adhesives and color resins to Central Asian countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Golmakani added that the export growth from SSEZ takes place within the framework of resistance economy policies and absorbing foreign investment, so that volume of exporting goods in the year of 1395 (Iranian calendar year) in comparison with year 1394 increased 100 percent by weight and value.

Because of its geographical position the SSEZ is a golden gate to enter Central Asian countries, China, Russia and a connection bridge between important markets of the Central Asia with the Persian Gulf countries, Europe, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He added that since setting up the zone, foreign investors from Georgia, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Pakistan have invested 35 million dollars in SSEZ in industries like mini-refineries, rice processing, production of different types of construction materials.

The zone is located 150 kilometers east of Mashad, capital of Khorasan Razavi province, and 15 kilometers from Sarakhs city and is neighboring Turkmenistan from north and east of the zone.

Its activities started from year 1375 (1996) simultaneously with inauguration of railway project between Mashad-Sarakhs and Tejen in presence of leaders and representatives from 100 world countries.