U.S., Europe Lying About Pharmaceutical Sanctions
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
“The U.S. and Europe lie about medical sanctions,” said Head of Iran Export Confederation Mohammad Lahoti.
Speaking to ILNA news agency, the Iranian official added that the US and Europe are lying about not having imposed embargoes on Iran’s purchase of medications and medical equipment.
“We cannot purchase their products because sanctions have restricted our banks in their transactions,” Mohammad Lahoti confirmed.
Referring to coronavirus outbreaks in Iran, the economic activist said “The spread of the virus might easily have a worse economic impact, especially the export sector, and almost all countries closed their borders with Iran.”
He went on to add that so Iran’s exports after the health sector were the second industry that was affected by this virus.
“But we believe that once the problems are resolved, the export rate will return to its former conditions and continue its positive trend,” head of Iran Export Confederation added.
He also urged the government for incentives for exporters especially in terms of tax on value-added. He said the government has its supportive package for exporters and he hopes the package would be operationalized, adding that currently the major problem of exporters is the tax on value-added. He added that so far this law on the tax on value-added is vague and it has not been cleared while the year is reaching its end.
Lahoti said that the government can ease this law for exporters to encourage exporters for more efforts to find markets for goods.
On Wednesday, Iranian officials accused the Trump administration of “medical terrorism” over U.S.-imposed sanctions that have severely hampered Iran’s ability to respond to the outbreak. Iran has asked the International Monetary Fund for $5 billion in emergency funding.
Iran’s economy was already battered by U.S. sanctions that curb oil and gas exports crucial for government revenues. A slowdown in economic activity caused by the virus outbreak and sustained closure of its borders are expected to lead to a contraction this year, analysts have said.
