TABRIZ, E. Azarbaijan Prov. - To facilitate exports, it is no longer mandatory to receive export licenses from various organizations, the Deputy Commerce Minister for International Trade Abdul Hossein Vahaji has said. Speaking at the closing day of Construction Materials Fair held in Tabriz, he added, apart from items the export of which have been banned, other authorized goods cab be exported freely.

He also said that with the implementaion of this program the Commerce Ministry along with its affiliated organs is the only institution authorized to issue export permits and answer questions regarding the licenses issued. Hoping that with the implementation of this policy in the next few years, a coherent and systematic export plan will be forged for for the third national development plan, Vahaji said that a national import program is also under consideration.

He further said, unfortunately an export oriented mentality has not been established in the economic and executive organizations in the country, adding that as result of mismanagement in the export sector, Iranian exporters are not able to effectively compete with their rival on many foreign markets, particularly those in Central Asian countries. (IRNA)