Over 315 foreign companies form 44 countries would participate in the Iran\'s 17th International Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemical Exhibition. The presence of foreign companies is despite the Western countries sanctions on the Iranian oil industry. Es\'haq Rouyvar, the director of the 17th Iran oil show stressed that the event will kick off in Tehran on April 17 in presence of several high ranking Iranian officials and will last for four days. A total number of 1,255 firms, including, 940 domestic and 315 foreign companies, will take part in the event, he said. \"Despite the international sanctions on Iran, the number of the countries participating in this year\'s exhibition has increased by about 10 percent compared to the last year,\" Rouyvar said. Participation of several international oil companies from the US, Germany, the UK, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia and Norway in the exhibition indicates the importance of Iran oil industry in international arenas, he said.