Tehran – December 18, 2025 - During a meeting between the Head of the Iran Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), the President of the Iran Association of International Exhibitions (and CEO of Khuzestan International Exhibition Company), and the Acting Head of the Industry, Mine and Trade Organization of Khuzestan Province, the importance of mobilizing all available capacities to ensure the successful organization of the Iran–Khuzestan Export Capabilities Exhibition (Khuzestan Expo 2026) was strongly emphasized.

The meeting was attended by Mohammad Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, Head of the Iran Trade Promotion Organization; Rahim Jalili, President of the Iran Association of International Exhibitions and CEO of Khuzestan International Exhibition Company; and Mehram Ravanbakhsh, Acting Head of the Industry, Mine and Trade Organization of Khuzestan Province. During the session, a detailed report was presented on the measures taken to organize the Khuzestan Expo, and the need for national-level support, a quality-oriented approach, and the strengthening of effective trade relations was highlighted.

At the beginning of the meeting, Jalili referred to the upcoming holding of the Khuzestan Expo in February 2026, describing it as a model of export-oriented exhibition events in the country. He stated that, in order to ensure the successful organization of the expo, a policy-making council has been established under the leadership of Dr. Moalizadeh, Governor of Khuzestan, with the participation of the Provincial Economic Affairs Deputy, Khuzestan International Exhibition Company, the Chambers of Commerce of Ahvaz, Khorramshahr, and Abadan (with Ahvaz Chamber as the leading body), the Provincial Department of Industry, Mine and Trade, and the Khuzestan Industrial Estates Company.

He added that several specialized committees have also been formed, including the Exhibitor Admission Committee, Foreign Delegations Attraction Committee, and the Information and Media Committee.

The CEO of Khuzestan International Exhibition Company further announced coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ representative office in Ahvaz, noting that formal correspondence has been carried out with Iranian embassies in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, as well as with the Iranian Consulate in Basra. As a result, the process of inviting and receiving foreign trade delegations has commenced, and to date, more than 60 percent of the exhibition’s capacity has been filled.

Jalili stated that the thematic scope of the Khuzestan Expo includes a wide range of sectors such as construction industry, home appliances, interior decoration, food industries, textiles, handicrafts, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, marine industries, as well as oil, gas, petrochemicals, and steel industries. He added that the target markets for this event include Central Asian countries, the Persian Gulf region, the Eurasian Economic Union, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, with special emphasis placed on attracting trade delegations from Iraq and Oman, given Khuzestan Province’s strategic geographical position.

In the continuation of the meeting, Mohammad Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, Head of the Iran Trade Promotion Organization, expressed appreciation for the measures taken and reaffirmed ITPO’s support for the organization of Khuzestan Expo 2026. He stated that the presented report reflects coherent and well-structured planning, and recommended that working meetings be held directly and on a continuous basis to accelerate the implementation process.

Emphasizing the importance of utilizing the capacity of commercial attachés and major companies based in Khuzestan, Dehghan Dehnavi added that the participation of large enterprises such as Foolad Khuzestan, refineries, and other major industrial companies, whether as exhibitors or sponsors, would not only help secure financial resources but also enrich the exhibition’s content and elevate the level of trade negotiations.

The Head of ITPO further stressed the necessity of a quality-oriented approach to organizing export expos, stating that exhibitions must evolve into platforms for real business connections and effective contract signing. He added that focusing on professional audiences, providing appropriate negotiation spaces, proper scheduling, the presence of professional English- and Arabic-speaking interpreters, and effective protocol and logistics management are among the key prerequisites for the success of such events.

The Iran–Khuzestan Export Capabilities Exhibition (Khuzestan Expo 2026) will be held from February 3 to 5, 2026, at the Permanent Site of Khuzestan International Exhibitions in Ahvaz, with the participation of Iranian manufacturers and visits from trade delegations representing approximately 15 countries. The primary focus of this event is to create and strengthen export pathways for Iranian producers and attract foreign trade delegations to Iran’s domestic markets.