Speaking at the meeting of the High Free Trade Zones (FTZ) Council and managing directors of Iranian FTZs President Rouhani outlined reduction of vulnerability of economy and its ability to withstand harsh conditions as the main principles of Resistance Economy asserting “one of the highlighted areas in Resistance Economy policies is constructive interaction with the world as the main focus of the incumbent government.”
Hassan Rouhani enumerated major policies of his government including cutting reliance of the budget on oil revenues, growing non-oil exports, and positive balance of exports versus imports, checking inflation, economic stability, increasing exports, and building up national trust in promises; “these issues have also been emphasized within the framework of Resistance Economy."
He dubbed the new Iranian year as a period of greater hope and effort for economic growth as well as realization of RE policies; “Free Trade Zones (FTZs) should act as pioneers in the implementation of these policies by attracting capital, technology and more production and exports.”
President Rouhani described his government's economic policies saying “continuous fall in the inflation rate and making it one-digit has been the constant policy of the incumbent government as we have managed to decrease the inflation rate to 11.3 percent in March 2016 from 41 percent in 2013.”
The official announced 5 percent economic growth rate as the government’s target in the new Iranian year calling for further efforts to ensure economic growth and complete elimination of recession.”
The President touched upon reduction of oil income by one sixth particularly in the past year; “in spite of all obstacles, government managed to save the country’s economy from deflation, achieving three percent economic growth rate.”
Pointing to the government’s achievements in political areas, he underlined “the nuclear talks with the 5+1 group of countries yielded fruitful results in the previous year bringing about a big and unprecedented diplomatic and judicial victory in Iranian history.”
Rouhani emphasized the need to exploit the opportunities in the post-JCPOA and post-sanction era; “the Iranian nation acted wisely during the February twin elections expressing their views and opinions with the massive participation.”
He said the country is prepared for a big economic movement in the post-sanctions and post-JCPOA era commenting “many enemies of the Iranian nation are very angry over the nuclear agreement and try to pose obstacles on the way of benefiting from the post-sanction and post-JCPOA achievements; we should use the opportunities in the new atmosphere with stronger will in order to attain development.”
Referring to the importance of employment in developmental plans, the official said lasting employment would become feasible by growing productivity, economic prosperity as well as technology transfer.
He further pointed to Iran's high capacities with in the areas of shoe and garment production, which is a business of high value-added; “with high job creation potential, Iran can capture regional markets of the two items.”
“The country has attained self-sufficiency in strategic food products as a factor of Resistance Economy policies,” said the president adding “Iran's strategic foodstuff reserves have hit unprecedented record.”
President Rouhani stressed the need for renovation of the national airlines commenting “one of the positive consequences of the JCPOA had been preparing the ground for purchase of new planes.”
The President said though sanctions on the plane purchase and export of pistachio and carpet were not in the list of nuclear sanctions, Iranian negotiators managed to have the sanctions lifted.
President Hassan Rouhani underlined further promotion of infrastructures in the FTZs to attract more foreign capital.
He noted the great important strategic features of Iranian FTZs especially Chabahar and Kish Island deeming a bright prospect for them; “the new year marks a special time for FTZs in line with full exploitation of post sanction opportunities on the basis of Resistance Economy policies,” reiterated Rouhani.
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