ROME -- Trade exchanges between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Italy increased to 3.28 billion euros in the first eleven months of 2002 registering an increase of 40 million euros compared to the match period in 2001, Italy's Statistics Center announced here on Saturday.

According to the report, Iran exported some 1.73 billion euros of goods to Italy during this period registering a trade balance of 185 million euros to its benefit.

Iran's exports to Italy mostly consisted of oil and oil derivatives, leather, carpet, fruit, oil seeds, dried fruit as well ferrous and non-ferrous goods, added the report.

Italian exports to Iran during this period mainly included industrial machinery, electronic appliances, spare parts, and medical instruments which were valued at l.55 billion euros.

Italy is considered as Iran's biggest trade partner in Europe, said IRNA.

Due to satisfactory political relations between the two sides in 2001, Italy led other European countries in trade exchanges with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In 2001, trade exchanges between Iran and Italy stood at 3.60 billion euros, about 26 percent of the total trade transaction with European Union member countries. thr 055 iran-italy-trade /eco/ iran, italy trade exchanges increase rome, march 15, irna -- trade exchanges between the islamic republic of iran and italy increased to 3.28 billion euros in the first eleven months of 2002 registering an increase of 40 million euros compared to the match period in 2001, italy's statistics center announced here on saturday. according to the report, iran exported some 1.73 billion euros of goods to italy during this period registering a trade balance of 185 million euros to its benefit. iran's exports to italy mostly consisted of oil and oil derivatives, leather, carpet, fruit, oil seeds, dried fruit as well ferrous and non-ferrous goods, added the report. italian exports to iran during this period mainly included industrial machinery, electronic appliances, spare parts as well as medical instruments which were valued at l.55 billion euros, the report noted. italy is considered as iran's biggest trade partner in europe. due to satisfactory political relations between the two sides in 2001, italy led other european countries in trade exchanges with the islamic republic of iran. in 2001, trade exchanges between iran and italy stood at 3.60 billion euro, about 26 percent of the total trade transaction with european union member countries. mm/ah end ::irna 17:47 ????????????????? 17-47-07.F24 ô‘?• ?‘?—÷? ?????????????????