Iran exported over $28 billion worth of non-oil exports in the first eight months of the current calendar year (began March 21, 2011), up 35 percent compared with the same period last year.

The country also imported some $40 billion worth of goods in the mentioned period of time, showing six percent fall year on year, the IRNA news agency reported.

Exports of technical and engineering services amounted to $2.9 billion in the eight-month period, the report added.

Previously, Trade Promotion Organization chief Hamid Safdel had said the value of non-oil exports is expected to hit $43 billion in the current year and $50.5 billion in the year after.

Iran's main non-oil exports are petroleum gases, liquefied gas hydrocarbons, liquefied propane, methanol, mineral fuels, chemical products, plastics, fruits, nuts, fertilizers, and carpets. 

In early October, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced his administration's plans to boost the value of the nation's non-oil exports to $60 billion by March 2013.

Previously, Trade Promotion Organization chief Hamid Safdel had said the value of non-oil exports is expected to hit $43 billion in the current year and $50.5 billion in the year after.

Iran's non-oil exports have increased considerably in recent years.

China, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and India are the top four destinations for Iranian exports.