Javad Owji, who made the statement on the sidelines of an exhibition dubbed the “Narrative of Progress” in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Thursday, added the products were previously imported.

He said the oil industry is now self-sufficient in different sectors, underlining the presence of knowledge-based companies and elites in the industry proves the claim.

The Oil Ministry got cooperation from 150 knowledge-based companies when the 13th administration took office in August 2021, pointed out Owji, continuing the number of knowledge-based firms cooperating with the ministry has now exceeded 650.

Different ministries including the Oil Ministry and its affiliates – the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC), and the National Petrochemical Company (NPC), the Health and Medical Treatment Organization – have displayed their latest achievements in the exhibition.

Earlier, Economy Minister Seyyed Ehsan Khandouzi visited the second “Narrative of Progress”.

The first edition was held in Qom, central Iran, and the second expo started in Mashhad on Wednesday and will run through Saturday.