Morteza Shahmirzaei unveiled the government's move to reassess
stagnant petrochemical projects, underscoring a strategic pivot towards value
chain-centric endeavors during the thirteenth administration.
Shahmirzaei disclosed that licenses for approximately 10 to 15
inactive projects were nullified, with some of these ventures being
restructured as value chain-oriented initiatives.
Speaking at a meeting with the Energy Commission members and the
Minister of Petroleum, Shahmirzaei acknowledged the imminent sixtieth
anniversary of Iran's petrochemical industry.
He emphasized that the primary objective of fostering a value chain
approach was to diminish reliance on raw material exports and augment value
addition. Shahmirzaei lauded substantial progress over the last two years in
realizing this objective.
Shahmirzaei affirmed that the central strategy of the thirteenth
administration within the Ministry of Oil is the culmination of the
petrochemical industry's value chain. This approach aims to ensure
self-sufficiency across the entire supply chain, from raw materials to the
final products, in this critical sector.
The CEO of the National Petrochemical Company commended rigorous
efforts taken to fortify the petrochemical industry's value chain.
He revealed that the Development and Completion Document outlining the
industry's value chain had been introduced as the principal development roadmap
during the Ordibehesht month (April-May). This strategic document was disseminated
to all petrochemical industry holdings, exhorting them to align their
strategies accordingly.
Expounding further, Shahmirzaei revealed that licenses for inactive
petrochemical projects underwent reassessment during the thirteenth
administration. This review resulted in the revocation of licenses for
approximately 10 to 15 inactive projects. Projects with upstream feedstock
dependencies and energy imbalances were transformed into value chain-oriented
initiatives.
Shahmirzaei also spotlighted the administration's focus on nurturing
knowledge-based enterprises, a key facet of the ongoing policy agenda. He
affirmed that domestic production of all catalysts utilized in the
petrochemical industry would be achieved by the end of the thirteenth
administration.
As Iran's petrochemical sector seeks to elevate efficiency, augment
value addition, and mitigate dependence on raw material exports, these
strategic shifts underscore a significant stride towards a more robust and
self-reliant petrochemical industry, aligning with broader economic
imperatives.