The
development of complementary industries, in line with the petrochemical
industry's value chain completion and corresponding to the development of
upstream petrochemical industries in the country, has far-reaching
implications. It not only ensures domestic supply but also curbs raw material
exports, promotes self-sufficiency, employment, economic growth, and elevates
Iran's position regionally and globally. Consequently, the National
Petrochemical Company has placed balanced development of the petrochemical
industry as one of the main priorities of the government's 13th term.
According to
Morteza Shahmirzaei, the Deputy Minister of Petroleum and CEO of the National
Petrochemical Company, the petrochemical industry has become the leader in
credit sales of products, serving as a model for other industries. The
introduction of petrochemical product credit sales on the commodity and energy
exchange not only prevents rent-seeking but also ensures raw material supply
for real producers of complementary industries.
The
identification and elimination of obstacles to the production of downstream
petrochemical industries that have been struggling or operating below their
nominal capacity has been actively pursued by the National Petrochemical
Company. One of the primary challenges for players in the complementary
industries of the country was recognized as accessing liquidity and working
capital for the procurement of raw materials.
Approximately
15,000 to 16,000 industrial units source their raw materials from petrochemical
complexes, and it was discovered that 63% of these units faced difficulties in
accessing working capital. As a result, increasing the sale of petrochemical
products on credit through the commodity and energy exchange, utilizing all
available capacities of petrochemical companies, was targeted to revitalize
production units and facilitate the supply of materials needed by complementary
industries in the value chain.
In pursuit of
this goal, a memorandum of cooperation was signed on the sidelines of the 16th
Iran Plast International Exhibition in September, between the National
Petrochemical Company and the Small Industries and Industrial Parks
Organization (ISIPO), particularly focused on the Small Industries and
Industrial Parks Organization (ISIPO). This memorandum marked a milestone in
the significant leap of the petrochemical and complementary industries in the
country.
As a result,
the trend of increasing credit sales of petrochemical products has continued.
Approximately 40 trillion rials in Dey, 57 trillion rials in Bahman, more than
40 trillion rials in Esfand were supplied. In total, around 180 trillion rials in
credit sales for the petrochemical industry were registered in the calendar year
of 1401 which ended on March 20.
This strategy
has continued in 1402, with more than 32 trillion rials in Farvardin, over 55 trillion
rials units in Ordibehesht, more than 58 trillion rials units in Khordad, over
60 rillion rials units in Tir, and around 62000 trillion rials units in
Shahrivar. Consequently, approximately 340 trillion rials in credit sales have
been provided to downstream petrochemical industries in the first half of the
year 1402. This has not only revitalized industrial units but has also
accelerated the development of final products, maximized value-added, and
increased employment in the country.
The
petrochemical industry, with its diverse range of products, is one of the most
profitable sectors, especially during the unjust sanctions. With this diversity
and by expanding the spectrum of these products, particularly in complementary
industries, a significant reduction in petrochemical product imports and an
increase in final product exports can be achieved, thereby maximizing
value-added production.
The National
Petrochemical Company is actively promoting the sale of petrochemical products
on credit and plans to further increase this trend in the coming months. This
is expected to make a significant contribution to the balanced development of
the petrochemical industry and the completion of the value chain.