UN Reports over 18% Hike in Foreign Direct Investment in Iran

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Iran reached $1.425 billion in 2021, showing an $83 million (18.6%) hike compared to the last year’s corresponding period, the UNCTAD reported.

Foreign investment in Iran in 2020, 2019, and 2018 had registered an 11, 4.36, and 30 percent decline respectively, it added.

The trend of foreign investment in Iran in the past decade has witnessed a declining trend, the report said.

Meantime, reports said last month that trade between Iran and the Economic Cooperation Organization's (ECO)’s 11 member states surpassed 10 million tons worth $8.19 bln in the first six months of the current Iranian year (started on March 21).

Iran's Customs Administration announced that the trade between the country and the ECO member states exceeded 10.67 million tons worth $8.19 billion during the current fiscal year’s first six months (March 21-Sept. 22).

The trade between Tehran and ECO registered a 30.28% reduction in weight, but a 12.96% boost in value compared with the corresponding period of last year.

Turkey was Iran’s main trade partner among the countries under review with 5.49 million tons worth $5.3 billion, registering a 41.07% decline in terms of weight, but an 11.87% growth in terms of value, compared with the same period of last year, Financial Tribune reported.

It was followed by Pakistan with 1.76 million tons (up 19.46%) worth $1.05 billion (up 61.29%) and Afghanistan with 1.59 million tons (down 36.83%) worth $805.21 million (down 19.91%).

Iran’s exports to ECO members stood at 8.56 million tons worth $4.82 billion during the period, registering a 33.5% decline in terms of weight, but a 5.97% growth in value year-on-year.

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