TEHRAN – Border and luggage exports from Iran to the Central Asian republics witnessed a 12% growth in Iranian year 1384 (March 21, 2004 to March 20, 2005) over 1383 period, a report released by Iran Customs Administration indicated on Monday.

Commonwealth Independent States (CIS) received 46.6% of goods and commodities via Astara Customs while Lotfabad and Sarakhs kept 20.4% and 11.7% of $39.3m in that order. Other border offices at Norduz and Bilehsavar reported 113% and 75.7% increase respectively compared to the previous year.

Astara with $18.3m, Lotfabad with $8m and Sarakhs with $4.6m were the top three while Bajgiran, Anzali and Jolfa experienced decline in luggage and border exports with respect to last year.