“The country now boasts a set of bodies, which can compete with the world’s big companies which hold a monopoly in carrying out many activities,” Khatami said at the opening ceremony.

Six petrochemical plants have been constructed or were being built at more than US$5.17 billion of investment and Iran haD now reached a point of progress in the oil and gas industry, where it could meet not only its own needs, but transfer its services to other countries, he said.