TEHRAN - The 13th International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery and Vehicles, Mining, Building Material Machines and Natural Stone Industry (IranConMin 2017) kicked off at Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds on Saturday.

Over 300 companies including 139 foreign exhibitors from different countries are participating in the four-day exhibition, IRNA reported.

Spain, Australia, Austria, Italy, South Africa, Germany, Taiwan, Turkey, China, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea and Poland are among the countries which have representatives in this year’s event.

The share of mining sector in Iran’s gross domestic product (GDP) will be increased to 1.5 percent in the Sixth National Development Plan (2016-2021) from the current figure of 1.1 percent, according to Deputy Industry, Mining and Trade Minister Jafar Sarqini.

Mining and minerals sector has all necessary qualities specified by “Resistance Economy” and is of high value added, the official highlighted.

Industry, Mining and Trade Ministry has adopted the policy of reducing risks for the private sector regarding investment making in the mining industry and it has thriving this sector on its agenda, the deputy minister further stated.

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PHOTO: Iranian Industry, Mining and Trade Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari cutting the ribbon on IranConMin 2017 exhibition on Saturday