4.6% Economic Growth Logical

Tehran, Oct 8, IRNA - The economic growth rate of 4.6 percent, announced for March 21-July 21, is logical for Iran under the present circumstances, said an economic expert. Referring to ambiguities over the figure, Saeed Leylaz added that details of the growth have been released by the Central Bank of Iran and the Statistical Center of Iran. “With respect to developments in the economic sector, such an achievement was predictable,” he said. Leylaz noted that the Iranian economy experienced a positive growth of 3 percent in the second quarter of the current Iranian year (ended Sept. 22). Referring to the two-digit growth rates in steel, telecommunications, transportation and oil sectors, he said only the agricultural sector experienced a single digit growth rate during the period. He put the growth rate of oil sector at 25 to 39 percent, adding that the national economy is lagging behind the GDP growth attained in the year to March 2011, thus plans should be devised to increase the figure. Leylaz said the economy is expected to grow significantly as of March 2015, due to restoration of economic calm and stability. “It should be noted that six percent of the economic growth rate of 4.6 percent, announced for the first quarter of the current Iranian year, pertain to growth in investments nationwide,” he said. “The rise in investment will help restore economic prosperity to Iran in the next two years. Efforts should also be made to increase the productivity rate.” Leylaz believes a stable employment rate and positive economic growth indicate the improvement of productivity rate, which was negative in the past five to six years./end