IRNA � Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mehdi Karbasian said on Tuesday that steel products output will hit 35 million tons by the end of the current Iranian year n March 20.


Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Tenth International Exhibition of Metallurgy, Steel, Molding, Machinery and Relevant Industries in Isfahan late Tuesday, he put current production of steel at 32 million tons, noting that the figure was 21 million tons in 2013.

Karbasian, also doubles as the head of Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), said in the first four months of the current Iranian year to July 22, eight million tons of steel were produced, of which 2.7 million tons were exported.

Last year, Iran�s steel exports hit a record high of nine billion dollars, he said, noting that Iran�s domestic consumption is 16 million tons and the surplus should be exported.

Karbasian hailed Iran�s achievements in the field of steel production, saying that in 2013, Iran used to import steel products from Bahrain but today, Iran is an exporter of the products such as sponge iron and concentrate.

The Tenth International Exhibition of Metallurgy, Steel, Molding, Machinery and Relevant Industries involving 333 pavilions opened in Isfahan late Tuesday.