Non-oil Exports & The Export Promotion Center Of Iran   Instead, during these two years, with the adoption of the policy to convert foreign exchange at realistic rates and make the proceeds earned from exports of non-oil products more profitable, the rate of exchange for export letters of payment has doubled, coming very close to the free market rate of exchange. Previously, export of all goods was subject to obtaining permission whereas today, except for a few limited items, no permission is required for the export of any type of product. “The Exporters Obligation Fulfillment Investigative Commission” has been set up and necessary executive by-laws for investigating the unfulfilled foreign exchange obligations of exports have been notified to the banking network. Moreover, the export of goods and services has become free of cumbersome and penalizing governmental regulations. Regulations humiliating the exporters and or obstructing their competition in the international market have been scrapped and today, no signs of such regulations are existing.   Exports of goods through letters of credit are exempted from providing export guarantees. All banks are permitted to buy and sell Export Letters of Payment and the period of foreign exchange Letters of Payment for documentary credits of exporters has been extended to 360 days. The conditions for entry of foreign traders and buyers into the country have been relaxed. 72-hour entry visas are issued at the airport to the nationals of some foreign countries (such as Saudi Arabia) that are considered as important and major markets for the export products of the country. Foreign exchange facilities are provided for marketing and exhibition activities of exporters. The quality and packing of export products have been improved considerably and exports of inferior quality, non-standard products are restricted. Duty and tax exemptions have been granted to all exportable goods. The conditions for temporary import of raw materials, equipment and accessories, required for the production of exportable goods, have been relaxed to a very great extent.   The guarantees of such exporters are canceled with the export of 125% of the value of the temporarily imported goods. Customs charges, commercial benefits and difference of amounts collected from imports of goods that are used in the production of exportable products are repaid promptly. All the facilities and privileges granted for export of goods are also extended to exporters of services and export credits are offered to them at preferential rates. Substantial discounts in insurance and port tariff rates for exportable goods are being offered. Special attention is being paid to elevation of the social esteem of exporters and regulations have been approved by the cabinet for the motivation of ideal exporters and shall soon become effective. Effective steps have been taken for the promotion of exports to CIS countries and “baggage trade” has been flourishing in these markets. During the first six months of 1378 (from 21 March 1999 to 21 August 1999) the country has earned about $ 60 million from such trade.   With the setting up of “The Center of Export Services” for the provision of services and issue of export permits by all executive bodies under one roof, the road has been paved for the entry of young and enterprising forces into the export arena. Today, we witness the increasing presence of new enthusiastic and active exporters in the field of foreign trade. It needs to be stated that the future strategy of the Export Promotion Center is focused on three factors – provision of information, marketing research, and export institutions. The “Center of Export Services” which coordinates the uncoordinated activities of the executive bodies shall provide services to the exporters on the basis of the above mentioned three factors.