Hassan Rouhani, who had attended the Sunday session of Parliament to present the next year budget bill, noted the renewal of Iran bans by the US Senate in recent days underlining “several reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirm that Iran has remained committed to all nuclear obligations and the JCPOA is an international document approved by the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) proper implementation of which could benefit all participating countries in addition to the global community.”
He further noted that, in line with the Leader’s comments, Iran has never been and will never be a violator of JCPOA; “hereby, I announce to the UNSC head that Iran will never tolerate violation of the agreement by members of the 5+1.”
“Extension of ISA is a blatant violation of JCPOA and its passing will be followed by Iran’s adequate response.”
He said inking of the act to renew ISA by the US president would be against JCPOA and Iran will take proper decisions if the law becomes operational.
“Unlike the Western propaganda, Iran merely eyes economic growth as well as friendship and reinvigoration of ties with the world in addition to supplying security and stability to the region.”
Iranian president, then, turned to the first days of taking the office; “the incumbent government took office over three years ago at a time when the country’s foreign relations were deeply affected by sanctions despite huge oil revenues in earlier years.”
“In the meantime, the government has spared no effort to remove existing barriers and alleviate ongoing crises,” said the official recalling that no government had ever taken office with an inflation rate of greater than 23 per cent though for the current government the figure stood at 40%.”
Rouhani said he was proud that the government remained committed to its obligation of lowering inflation rate to lower than 10 per cent which was achieved in the current Iranian calendar year.
“Actualizing 8 per cent of economic growth, as part of the Sixth Five-Year Plan, will never be made but through economic stability,” highlighted Rouhani stating that the government has achieved single-digit inflation rate and brought about economic predictability which lead to an uplift in domestic and foreign investments.
He further elaborated on measures taken to tackle unemployment; “in recent years, the educated population of the nation, who are very large in number, have secured a place in the labor market giving rise to the economic participation rate.”
The Iranian President however warned that the employment rate is still far from being proportionate to the number active population entering the job market.
Rouhani further recalled that following the Imposed War, no government had taken office with a negative rate in economic growth; “recession had left adverse effects on various sectors though the steps which were taken afterwards led to three per cent of economic growth in 2014.”
“The growth came at a time when government’s revenues had plummeted to an all-time low following the sharp decline in global crude prices,” underscored the president adding “implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) led to a soar in Iran’s oil exports and prevented falling oil prices to negatively affect the country’s economy.”
He estimated that the rate of economic growth will reach five percent or higher in the current year given the formation of a positive outlook for the future as well as improved business activities.
President Rouhani went on to enumerate the government’s achievements in various other sectors including provision of services across the country and to the most remote urban and rural areas, implementation of Health Development Plan which has provided comprehensive coverage and equitable access to health care services, preserving and protecting basic agriculture resources such as water and soil as well as increased utilization of existing resources.
He also reiterated that the volume of Iran’s oil exports has risen from 2.7 million barrels per day in the first five months of 2013 to over 3.8 million bpd in the same time period in the present year.
On gas production, Rouhani said operation of South Pars phases have added 6.5 per cent to the production capacity of the country indicating a 25% rise in the aggregate natural gas production.
“Proper consumption management has turned Iran into an exporter of petroleum products as we are now deploying 13.4 liters of gas oil to global markets," said president..
He said the volume of petrochemical exports has also soared from 12.8 million tons worth 9.6 billion dollars in 2013 to 18.8 million tons worth 13.7 billion dollars in the previous year bringing about a 40% growth in petchem exports.
“The government has also improved the business environment by encouraging foreign demand and development of non-oil exports through strengthening of domestic markets," noted Rouhani.
He also noted that Iran's scientific development based on scientific articles has jumped four steps reaching the 16th place in global ranking as well as the enjoying the first ranking among Muslim countries.
“When I took office, the country was suffering from severe international sanctions due to wrong cliams on its peaceful nuclear program,” emphasized Rouhani adding “enemies made efforts to reduce the volume of Iran’s crude exports by intensifying bans in order to increase the country’s vulnerability.”
He commented that reaching a nuclear deal with the 5+1 group of countries, a goal which was obtained through the Leader’s guidelines and support of the nation, thwarted all plots hatched by enemies as Iran is now regaining all its lost markets.
“During the earlier OPEC meeting, Iran was exempted from reducing production levels despite severe disagreements with certain member states,” said the official underlining that there exists no restriction of increasing Iran’s oil output in the coming months.
He said as a result of recent resolutions, costs of financial transactions and foreign trade has been reduced and we are gradually enjoying advantages of services offered by international banking system; “grounds are now provided for direct foreign investment as well as access to new technologies and development of non-oil exports.”
“In time with the rise in economic transparency, corruption has been also controlled,” he continued.
Later in his remarks, Iran’s president evaluated JCPOA as a win-win agreement for all parties saying “active participation of all sides in Iran’s nuclear deal will bring about greater benefits to all countries.”
He said Iran possesses the right to exploit international economic opportunities as well as to bolster ties with other states and required no permit from any country.
Later, the Iranian President touched upon roots of the country’s economic problems emphasizing that the budget bill for the next year is an attempt to overcome all structural difficulties.
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