TEHRAN - Commodities worth about $800 million were exported by Iran’s cooperative sector during the first six months of the current Iranian year (March 21- September 21), deputy minister of cooperatives, labor, and social welfare, Mehdi Maskani, said on Tuesday.

As IRNA reported, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, and Russia were the first five export destinations for the goods produced by Iranian cooperatives in the first half of 1401, according to Maskani.

Cooperatives active in agriculture, food industry, handicrafts, handwoven carpets, minerals, and mineral industries had the biggest share in the exports during the said period.

Maskani named Khuzestan, Fars, Khorasan Razavi, Alborz, and Golestan as the most active provinces in terms of exports by the cooperative sector in the mentioned six months.

He considered the efforts made by the managers and employees as the most important factor in the development of the cooperative sector’s export and emphasized: “The existence of diverse cooperative unions throughout the country creates a suitable platform for completing the export chain.”

According to the official, the current government administration has been supporting the country’s cooperative sector as a priority, and so far, 310 cooperatives have been invited and supported to participate in national and international events and exhibitions.

He noted that the development of exports and the expansion of global markets for cooperatives has been the main approach of the 13th government with regard to the cooperative sector.

EF/MA