There are also plans to build similar complexes in Iran, Hossein Aqaii told the Mehr.

He went on to say that the private sector has constructed 22 petrochemical units at Assaluyeh Site 2, which is located in southern Iran.

Petroleum Minster Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh has disclosed that two petrochemical complexes would become operational soon in Pars Special Economic Energy Zone.

He said the President or another high-ranking official would be opening Ghadir and Borzouyeh petrochemical plants in Assalouyeh.

The minister, who was touring different petrochemical plants of Assaloueyh and the refineries under construction for South Pars project, said," The needed gas injection for the 6th phase of South Pars gas field will start in two weeks" time and the phase will become operational at that time."

Referring to the project to develop North Pars gas field, the minister noted," Iran and China are satisfied with the outcome of the talks held on the issue so far and we believe that the Chinese companies are capable of undertaking the job."

Earlier, Gholam-Hossein Nejabat managing director of Iran"s National Petrochemical Company (NPC) had said that 13 petrochemical projects would become operational in the current Iranian year (by March 20, 2008).

Petrochemicals accounted for the most share of Iran"s non-oil exports in the past Iranian year.

The country exported 14,236,800 tons of petrochemicals at $ 6.11 billion in the said period.