BAFQ, Yazd Prov. -- Iran is to export 118,000 tons of iron ore, worth $3 million, to Pakistan during the next six months on the basis of an accord signed between the two sides on August 10, 2002, Managing Director of Iran-Bafq Central Iron Ore Company Mohammad Dehestani Bafqi said here on Monday evening.

Putting the amount of company's products exported to the neighboring state last year (ended March 20) at $2 million, he added that as of the next year, Iran will export 400,000 tons of iron ore via the sea to Pakistan for five years.

Dehestani Bafqi further said that negotiations have been conducted with Saudi Arabia in order to export 600,000 tons of products to that country for five years, IRNA reported.

The official went on to say that some three million tons of iron ore are extracted from the Choghart mine in Bafq per annum.

Bafq is located 120km east of the provincial capital of Yazd.