TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Some 2.14 billion dollars worth of mineral and industrial goods were exported during the first seventh months of current Iranian year (started March 21, 2003).

Director General of the Ministry of Mines and Industries for Export Affairs Ahmad Qassemi told IRNA Monday the figures for exports show a 3.5 percent boost in terms of weight and a 13.6 percent increase in terms of value compared to the similar period last year.

He noted that Iran's carry-on luggage exports accounted for $27.8 million while the country's export via border markets amounted to $319.5 million.

Qassemi said the Central Asian and Persian Gulf countries as well as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan are among major importers of Iran's industrial goods.