TEHRAN -- Deputy Oil Minister for Petrochemical Affairs Mohammadreza Ne’matzadeh announced here on Tuesday that Bandar Imam Petrochemical Complex is to issue tender bids for several Foundation Fieldbus equipped projects by the next month.

In his inaugural speech at the Third International Fieldbus Seminar and Exhibition, Ne’matzadeh said that several giant projects, equipped with Foundation Fieldbus control system, will be operational at Bandar Imam Special Economic and Petrochemical Zone this year.

He said more than 51 percent of the projects will be ceded to Iranian companies.

He added that Bandar Imam Petrochemical Complex, a facility distinguished by about 20,000 types of inputs and outputs, plans to replace old pneumatic control systems with the sophisticated systems and foundation fieldbus equipped ones, IRNA reported.

The official said projects for maintenance and repair of new petrochemical facilities are to be offered to the private sector.

Head of Bandar Imam Petrochemical Complex and Head of the Fieldbus Committee at National Petrochemical Company Sheri-Moqaddam said the three-day exhibition is being attended by 12 foreign companies, including those from Europe, Japan and Brazil, and nine Iranian firms.