According to IRNA Political Desk reporter, during the meeting at President's Office in the presence of the Commerce Minister, Head of Chamber of Commerce, and head of the Export Promotion Bank and Export Affidavit Fund, the representatives of exporters in various fields, presented their viewpoints and problems."

After hearing the complaints put forth by exporters of different products, the president said,"We need to believe that we are powerful, have a rich culture, and are very talented," adding, "Today, Iranian goods and services have clients in world markets, and all we need to do is to facilitate for their proper presentation."

Pointing out that during the recent years good steps have been taken to promote non-oil exports, Ahmadinejad said, "Today we have annual non-oil export worth sixteen billion US dollars, but that is only a first step, keeping in mind Iran's potentials."

The president reiterated, "Exports of engineering services during the (Iranian) year 1385 (ended on March 20th, 2007) equalled two billion dollars, but we are aiming for exporting twenty billion dollars of such services annually, and that is quite possible, keeping in mind the strong will, potentials, and capabilities of the Iranian nation."

Ahmadinejad addressing the exporters, said, "You must assist the concerned officials in order to improve the country's exports status, and centralizing the exports affairs can be a first important step in that regard, and to materialize it, you can count on Government's assistance and backing."

He asked the exporters to choose a representative to be nominated by him as the President's Consultant in Exports Affairs.



Stressing the importance of a blossoming economy in a successful foreign policy, he asked the Economic Affairs Advisor of the Foreign Minister who was also present at the meeting to include the export associations' representatives in the economic meetings the Foreign Ministry has with ambassadors.



Ahmadinejad also welcomed the Chamber of Commerce proposal for accompanying of one of its representatives in President's foreign visits.



In response to the representative of hand woven carpet exporters', he agreed with him that rather than making heavy investments on machine made carpet factories, if we had made investments in hand woven carpet industry this sectors would have been much better off today.



In order to support the country's gold and jewelry industries, too, Ahmadinejad proposed the establishment of a gold bank, after whose establishment gold can be used in some of the country's business transactions instead of liquidity.



He expressed hope that a day would come that Iranian products would be seen in every country around the globe, assuring the exporters they can effectively help make that dream come true.

Tehran, July 11, IRNA