By NNN-FNA
Tehran : Iran is ready to cooperate with Brunei Darussalam in the development of the petrochemical industry to provide a solid base for sustainable progress of the country, Iran’s Ambassador to Brunei Abolfazl Khazaee said.
“Brunei’s economy is strong as the country is rich in oil resources but no country can rely on the exports of crude petroleum in this era of extreme global competition,” the Ambassador of the world’s fourth-leading oil producers said in an exclusive interview with The Brunei Times on the eve of Iran’s National Day -anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 – which is celebrated Monday.
Petrochemicals are chemical products made from raw materials of petroleum origin that can be used as solvents, detergents or adhesives as well as plastic, fibers and certain kinds of lubricants.
“We have 100 years of experience in managing the oil industry and we are already developing and exporting petrochemicals so Brunei can benefit a lot from our experience.
“We are also ready for joint ventures (JVs) with Brunei in this area,” he said.
Iran exported petrochemical products worth US$3 bln last year and also launched the world’s biggest factory for aromatics (a petrochemical raw material); in a bid to further expand the oil industry.
According to official data, Brunei’s total exports of crude oil, natural gas and refined products during 2006 were US$7.2 bln.
Crude and refined petroleum products account for 80 per cent of Iran’s US$76.5 bln exports.
Meanwhile, talks between Pakistan and Iran on gas pipeline projects are underway and there are progress on many issues, Iran’s counsel general to LAHORE, PAKISTAN said adding that few legal and technical issues are left and once ironed out, work on the project would start hopefully in the near future.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore regarding the 29th anniversary of Iranian revolution, Saeed Kharazi said that the gas project was a tripartite deal between India, Pakistan and Iran.
Kharazi stressed that Iran’s foreign policy is based on the principle of having good relations with all countries without going against anyone.