According To Iran News, Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Reza Rahmani said hat his ministry will concentrate on exporting non-oil products in the current year [started March 21, 2020].

He made the remarks on Sun. in his meeting with the newly appointed minister of agriculture and emphasized, “the two ministries of agriculture and industry share common concerns for activating various production capacities. It is hoped that ministries of Industry and Agriculture will take giant stride for realizing objectives of ‘surge in production’ in the current year.”

He pointed to the non-oil export and added, “promoting export of non-oil commodities and managing imports are one of the pivotal programs of the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade in the current year. In this case, agricultural sector and its products is of paramount importance in terms of exports and accurate management of imports.”

Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade is ready to establish necessary cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture for providing basic goods and commodities needed by people in the country, Industry Minister Reza Rahmani emphasized.

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IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TEHRAN – Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade says production has grown by 6 percent in nine months comparing to the same period last year, adding that the growth is seen in two-thirds of the selected production.

In meeting with the members of Iran Chamber of Cooperatives, Mr. Reza Rahmani pointed to the growth in production especially in sectors like steel, shortening, tile, ceramic and cement, adding that last year the growth in industry was minus 9.2 percent but it improved by September 2019 and it reached 4 percent and it indicates 10 percent growth.

He went on to say that last year, growth in production in agro sector was minus 3 percent but the figure this year has become positive and reached 6.5 percent.

Rahmani further said that this year the volume of non-oil exports has been 103m tons in terms of weight while the figure was 87m tons in the same period last year, indicating 20 percent growth.

He emphasized setting up of cooperatives and industrial units in the country and they should take advantage of the capacities of all neighboring states especially Eurasia.

Rahmani noted that for example, Pakistan needs around 100m square meters of tile as the country only produces 20m square meters and it imports the remaining 80m square meters while Iran only exports 8m square meters of tile to Pakistan. So neighboring states and their markets is considered big export capacity for Iranian economic activists, especially the cooperatives, he added.

He urged all chambers of commerce and cooperatives for stationing their trade representatives in the target countries for their exports, adding that the ministry is trying to boost consultation but it does not mean that chambers of commerce remain passive.

Rahmani noted that unfortunately the country does not have any commercial attaches in Erbil, Mosul, Basra, Karbala and Najaf, and chambers of commerce and cooperatives can station their representatives to ease the exports.

The minister added that one of the main aspects of the resistance economy is to become popular, adding that the cooperatives are the main sign of resistance economy being popular.

Rahmani reiterated that the country is in the economic war condition and one should not forget that as long as people do not enter the scene, affairs will not progress and the ministry’s task is to boost cooperation with the Chamber of Cooperatives and the chamber should increase its role and responsibility in affairs..

He reiterated that there are huge capacities in the production sector and all should work together to take advantage of it.

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IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Reza Rahmani says the real volume of Iran’s exports has grown in the first three quarters of the current year comparing to the same period last year and the trade balance became positive.

Speaking in the meeting of deputies of the ministry, Rahmani said that the real export volume of the country in the first 9 months has reached 1.3m which shows 18.5% growth comparing to the same period last year.

He went on to say that the trade balance has been positive this year and the exports have grown significantly.

Rahmani went on to say that the ministry’s task is to monitor distribution of the goods and provision of necessary commodities in the country and fortunately the ministry has controlled the market from any economic shock in different stages.

He also urged his deputies to be vigilant and by making timely and suitable decisions they should prevent from any problem in the market.

He reiterated in line with controlling the market and providing the essential commodities, they should not ignore people and production sector’s interests.

Rahmani also called for self-sufficiency in producing strategic goods in order to cut dependence to other countries and all should pursue this strategy.

He noted that trivial problems should not be any obstacle on path of their determination for progress.

He reiterated that today some part of economic war is psychological and the ministry should do its best to solve problems of those units which are important for the country.

He also expressed his condolences over the martyrdom of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and called him symbol of bravery and independence.

He noted that all are indebted to martyrs and all should pursue the path of martyrs who struggled for the success of the country.

He admitted that martyrdom of Soleimani is hard to be believed and his name will be remembered forever.

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IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TEHRAN – Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade has called for strengthening exports and private exports which is the key to overcoming economic war.

Speaking at a ceremony for honoring the exemplary exporters in Isfahan, Reza Rahmani pointed to the existing challenges in front of producers and national economy, adding that today protecting the production is like jihad and he has witnessed that not only the production has been protected but also the companies have expanded their activities.

He reiterated that protecting the production is the priority of the ministry, stipulating that all should work to save national production from harm, reiterating that expansion of exports should be a driving force for production and job creation.

Emphasizing the role of exports in providing necessary forex revenues and helping the country to come out of the cruel sanctions, he said that today export is not an option but it is necessary and in order to succeed in the economic war, the country needs expansion of exports and strengthening of activities in the private sector.

He also said that exporting to neighboring states is an opportunity for national economy, adding that Iran only accounts for 2 percent of neighboring states’ imports and the figure should be four-folded by 2021.

Rahmani also said that the country needs proper policies fitting with the sanctions condition and all should work together in order to overcome sanctions.

He said enemies are trying to inject hopelessness and disappoint into the country and all should work to convert threats into opportunities.

Rahmani added that the ministry has increased the capital of National Development Fund by $200m and it can boost exports and productions.

Meanwhile addressing the ceremony Head of National Exports Guarantee Fund said that banking and forex problems and restrictions as well as high cost of production have been of the major problems for the producers.

Afrooz Bahrami went on to say that devising strategies for industrial development is one of the solutions.

She also pointed to Iran’s insignificant share of world exports, adding that regarding the existing capacities in the country, the figure is not acceptable.

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Rahmani pointed to the high potentials and capacities of Iranian cities including Chabahar and Bandar Abbas and added, “Islamic Republic of Iran attaches great importance to its relations with neighbors, so that the country thinks to this issue as a win-win and strategic tie.”

Omani side pointed to the brotherly and friendly relationship between Iran and Oman and emphasized on the need to strengthen transportation and infrastructural cooperation as well as presenting facilities in line with promoting bilateral trade volume.

Development of relationship with neighbors especially Islamic Republic of Iran is the main policy of Omani government, he said, adding, “we welcome any strategy for promoting and developing bilateral relationship warmly.”

Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Fatisi, Omani Minister of Transport and Communication referred to the infrastructural facilities of his country in the field of launching air and sea transport lines and stated, “now, air routes have been established between the two countries and it is necessary that trade and business activists should boost their activities in maritime field.”

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As reported, over 300 Iranian and foreign companies from different countries including China, Germany, Turkey and Italy are participating in this year’s exhibition to showcase their latest products and services.

According to the organizers, many knowledge-based companies and start-ups are attending this year’s exhibition and various specialized workshops are also scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the event.

This year at least six foreign trade delegations from Oman, Qatar, Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan are also going to visit the exhibition to hold talks and negotiate with the participating companies.

Introducing the country’s potentials and capabilities in this industry, creating investment and trade opportunities, introducing worldwide innovations and advances in the window industry, introducing a competitive environment for the domestic and foreign companies, as well as introducing direct communication between producers and consumers, presenting new job opportunities and finding New export markets are some of the main goals of this exhibition.

Last year some 356 Iranian exhibitors alongside 54 foreign companies from Italy, China, Bulgaria, Spain, Turkey, Germany and the UAE participated in the Do-Win TECH show, which is Iran’s biggest event in the windows and doors industry.

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Mentioning the West Azarbaijan’s great potentials for foreign trade, the official noted that although the province’s trade was significantly improved last year but it doesn’t match the region’s potentials and should improve even better.

The industry, mines and trade minister further said that the neighboring countries can be Iran’s export bases, adding: “Our relation with neighboring countries is expanding and investments are increasing and for the time being, we have a common understanding to establish two joint industrialized zones with Iraq.”

West Azarbaijan Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran; It is in the northwest of the country, bordering Turkey, Iraq and Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

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He also required the Central bank of Iran (CBI) to pay a significant attention to implementing forex policies to improve non-oil exports and prosper domestic production.

During the past years, Iran has sought to reduce its reliance on oil revenues majorly via moving towards increasing non-oil exports and flourishing tourism industry.

On May 14, Iranian first Vice-President Es’hagh Jahangiri announced that the country’s reliance on oil income has dropped below 30 percent.

The government could manage to decrease Iran’s dependence on oil revenues from its previous 80-90 percent to less than 30 percent, the Iranian official said.

“Reliance on oil income presently is below 30 percent i.e. in case of saving via reducing expenditures, the planned financial resources in the budget can be consumed on development targets,” Jahangiri said.

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The Iranian minister underlined Iran’s commitment to the signed preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Turkey and called for expansion of the types of goods traded via PTA to reach the set 30-billion-dollar annual bilateral trade in future.

Rahmani also welcomed construction of industrial parks in Iran with cooperation of Turkish companies, naming it a good opportunity for attraction of investments and transferring knowledge into Iran on the way to boost Iran’s non-oil exports and job creation.

Referring to the high available capacity of free and special zones at Iran-Turkey border, the Iranian official recommended formation of a working group to facilitate mutual trade. Accordingly, the committee to ease Iran-Turkey trade would remove customs barriers and ease mutual commerce between the two sides.

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Rouhani had attempted a cabinet reshuffle by proposing Farhad Dejpasand as the minister of economy, Mohammad Eslami as minister of transport and urban development, Mohammad Shariatmadari as minister of cooperative, labor, and social welfare, and Reza Rahmani as minister of industry, mine and trade.

Eslami received 151 yeas, 98 nays, and 8 abstentions. Shariatmadari received 196 yeas, 63 nays, and 5 abstentions. Dejpasand received 200 yeas, 50 nays, and 15 abstentions. Rahmani received 203 yeas, 49 nays, and 13 abstentions.

Dejpasand says cooperation is key to resolving economic issues

Dejpasand, President Rouhani’s pick for economy minister, told lawmakers one of his plans is to establish centers with the aim of boosting cooperation among the administration, parliament, private sector and academia in order to resolve the economic issues.

Dejpasand referred to his experience during Iraq’s imposed war against Iran in the 80s as a model he has since followed to succeed. “We were faced with an economic war during that time as well, but with our high social capital we managed to succeed,” he said.

He pointed out that immediate measures need to be taken to prevent hyperinflation, explaining, however, that the Economy Ministry’s capacities are not enough to reach that end.

Pointing to the difficulty of raising the necessary financing in today’s economy, Dejpasand said, “In the current situation, financing must be one of our plans, which can be pursued through domestic and foreign investment.”

He also said the banking system must be reformed before any major economic decision.

“The first issue Mr. Rouhani brought up in our meeting was the need to reform the banking system,” he said, adding that the top banks of the country are currently suffering from several issues.

He went on, “Overdue debts is one of such issues. We should gather and think to collect such debts. There should be incentive and punitive mechanisms.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, Dejpasand pointed to the high level of liquidity in Iran’s economy, saying the liquidity should be turned into a tool to revive the economy.

Head of Majlis Production and Employment Committee later spoke in favor of Dejpasand, saying he is able to unify the Economy Ministry with the Planning and Budget Organization and the Central Bank of Iran.

“In the past years, a lack of coordination in the administration’s economic team was a major concern, but with Mr. Dejpasand such coordination will be formed,” Qolamreza Kateb said.

MP Ramezanali Sobhanifar also spoke highly of the proposed economy minister and said Dejpasand “was one of the effective individuals in drafting the sixth five-year development plan.”

He added that Dejpasand’s plans are in line with the general policies of the Islamic Republic and the resistance economy.

Ali Sari, who represents Ahwaz in the parliament, criticized the proposed economy minister, saying his “plans are just theory and it is impossible to put them into practice.”

Dejpasand has not proposed any practical solutions to resolve the economic issues, Sari said.

Shariatmadari promises transparency

Shariatmadari who was proposed as minister of cooperatives, labor, and social welfare said during his speech at the parliament that it is only transparency that can help fighting corruption.

“If there is corruption in an executive body and that body recognizes it, it [the body] should be praised,” he said.

He said that he will create infrastructures that make all the Pension Fund’s operations transparent.

Ruhollah Babaee Saleh, an MP who represents Buin Zahra, spoke for vote of confidence to Shariatmadari and described him as a “determined person in fighting organized corruption”.

It is notable that Shariatmadari is familiar with challenges in society, he said.

He also said that Shariatmadari is capable of coordinating related bodies for the country’s sustainable development.

Vali Maleki, an MP who represents Meshginshahr, was against appointment of Shariatmadari.

He said that Shariatmadari observes moral codes, but did not take any practical action to solve economic problems when he was at committee of industry for about one year.

He noted that no manager can be successful if he does not have goals to achieve in his plans.

Gholam Ali Jafarzadeh Emenabadi, an MP who represents Rasht, was also for giving vote of confident to Shariatmadari and called him a “guerrilla in the current [economic] war”.

“Enemies seek to exert pressure against the Iranian people and Mr. Shariatmadari is experienced enough to help,” he said.

Eslami says will prioritize strategic plans

Eslami was the third proposed minister to speak in defense of his plans for the Ministry of Road and Transport.

He said if made minister, he would prioritize strategic plans to facilitate the progression of developmental plans under current economic situations.

Eslami said he will have highest on agenda the Sixth Development Plan, removal of hindrances to production, and improvement of business environment.

MP Mohammad Reza Rezaee Kuchi, the head of Majlis Development Committee, spoke in favor of Eslami, saying the current shortcomings could only be tackled through the nominee’s plan of attracting finance.

“There are 2,970 unfinished plans in on the ministry’s agenda which cannot be funded through bonds or treasury documents. The only effective way to put them back on track is by what Mr. Eslami says he plans to employ, that is, domestic and foreign finance and the private sector cooperation.”

Then MP Mohammad Feyzi spoke against Eslami, raising doubt that he has any plan for the ministry.

“Was it not through the resignation of one minister that you were nominated? Because what I have my colleagues have heard is that your nomination was decided after an overnight negotiation and lobbyism,” Feyzi told Eslami.

Rahmani announces plans for production and employment

Rahmani was the last proposed minister to defend his agenda for the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade.

He said he would prioritize production and stable employment. “I will not use a crisis [management] room, but will turn that room into one for prevention and treatment,” he said.

He added that he had a plan to create an online “production and trade dashboard” for the live reporting of production and trade figures.

He also said his ministry would have special plans for the renovation of the transportation fleet.

MP Mahmoud Sadeqi spoke against Rahmani, saying he has no plan for the auto industry, among others. “Rahmani’s plans have no agenda, for example, for the amount of auto imports or electric cars,” he noted.

“There is no mention of the sanctions and post-sanctions eras in the industrial sector. Nor is there any plan under the extraordinary situations for the survival of businesses,” Sadeqi said.

Ali Asghar Yusofnejad was the next MP to speak. He defended Rahmani.

Rahmani has ample eligibility for the position, regarding his education resume and executive record.

He also said Rahmani’s plans adhere to the major state policies concerning his proposed area of supervision.

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