Financial Tribune - Since the first development plan in 1991 to the fifth in 2015, the value-added share of 'basic agriculture' has fallen from 38% to 16.5% and manufacturing-based industries saw their share plummet from 12.1% to 10.8%

The Institute for Trade Studies and Research, the research arm of the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade, has conducted a study of the industrial sector role in the economy over the span of five-year economic development plans after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The study covers five development plans from 1991 to 2015 and analyzes the effect of industrial, trade and technological policies on the industrial activities of the country. A book based on the study will be published soon.

What is indeed troubling about the ITSR findings is the conclusion that contrary to common belief, the share of industrial sector in Iran's GDP over the last 25 years has actually fallen.