TEHRAN, July 9 (Mehr News Agency) – The volume of Iran-China trade in 2005, hit $9.2 billion, a statement released by Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) said on Sunday.

Iran exported a total of $5.8 billion worth of crude oil, petrochemical products, iron stone, chrome stone, cast iron and dried fruit but imported from the southeast Asian state electric and mechanical machineries, mineral fuels and lubricants, rail transportation equipments, iron, steel, plastics, toys, sport equipments and machineries used in the factories and power plants, the report quoted Parviz Rezaii, an official with the organization, as saying.

Also, Iran's crude oil sales to China have experienced a significant growth of about 80 percent in the past year, he noted.

With regard to imports, China was the Islamic Republic of Iran's fifth trade partner in 2004. However, considering exports in the same year, it was Iran's seventh trade partner, he said.

China's growing demand for Iran's petrochemicals has opened vast opportunities for Iranian companies active in the sector, the Iranian official commented adding, being second in the world, China's petrochemical market has the potentials to attract between 40-60 percent of Iran's petrochemicals.